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Rethinking corruption tolerance : a critical interpretive synthesis and typology-based model grounded in the theory of planned behavior

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Abstract
Corruption tolerance refers to individuals’ moral approval or willingness to engage in corrupt acts. In this study we perform a Critical Interpretive Synthesis of 139 peer-reviewed articles covering studies focusing on 79 countries to establish how corruption tolerance is conceptualized and theorized. Findings reveal conceptual confusion, inconsistent operationalization, and limited use of theory-driven models. The analysis identifies three dimensions—Actors and Behavior Dynamics, Context and Justification Dynamics, Manifestation and Nature Dynamics—highlighting the construct’s multidimensionality. In response, we propose a typology-based model grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, distinguishing five types of corruption tolerance: Attitudinal, Normative, Practical, Intentional, and Behavioral. This model offers a structured framework for precise conceptualization and empirical analysis. By advancing a theory-informed understanding of socio-cognitive, and contextual factors shaping tolerance, this work provides a foundation for future research and policy while emphasizing the need for behavioral sciences approaches. The research plan was preregistered at https://osf.io/f5zbg/?view_only=002f5e25b0de459e9498ef43e571766d
Keywords
cognition, decision-making, social norms, governance

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MLA
Bravo Matamoros, Ariana, et al. “Rethinking Corruption Tolerance : A Critical Interpretive Synthesis and Typology-Based Model Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior.” CrimRxiv, 2025, doi:10.21428/cb6ab371.595d51e0.
APA
Bravo Matamoros, A., Pozsgai-Alvarez, J., Janssens, J., Cevallos Valdiviezo, H., Kumar, K., Eeckhout, M., & Vandeviver, C. (2025). Rethinking corruption tolerance : a critical interpretive synthesis and typology-based model grounded in the theory of planned behavior. https://doi.org/10.21428/cb6ab371.595d51e0
Chicago author-date
Bravo Matamoros, Ariana, Joseph Pozsgai-Alvarez, Jelle Janssens, Holger Cevallos Valdiviezo, Kuralarasan Kumar, Marie Eeckhout, and Christophe Vandeviver. 2025. “Rethinking Corruption Tolerance : A Critical Interpretive Synthesis and Typology-Based Model Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior.” CrimRxiv. https://doi.org/10.21428/cb6ab371.595d51e0.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Bravo Matamoros, Ariana, Joseph Pozsgai-Alvarez, Jelle Janssens, Holger Cevallos Valdiviezo, Kuralarasan Kumar, Marie Eeckhout, and Christophe Vandeviver. 2025. “Rethinking Corruption Tolerance : A Critical Interpretive Synthesis and Typology-Based Model Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior.” CrimRxiv. doi:10.21428/cb6ab371.595d51e0.
Vancouver
1.
Bravo Matamoros A, Pozsgai-Alvarez J, Janssens J, Cevallos Valdiviezo H, Kumar K, Eeckhout M, et al. Rethinking corruption tolerance : a critical interpretive synthesis and typology-based model grounded in the theory of planned behavior. CrimRxiv. 2025.
IEEE
[1]
A. Bravo Matamoros et al., “Rethinking corruption tolerance : a critical interpretive synthesis and typology-based model grounded in the theory of planned behavior,” CrimRxiv. 2025.
@misc{01K4QC90P63GN77P3DKTWC8NQQ,
  abstract     = {{Corruption tolerance refers to individuals’ moral approval or willingness to engage in corrupt acts. In this study we perform a Critical Interpretive Synthesis of 139 peer-reviewed articles covering studies focusing on 79 countries to establish how corruption tolerance is conceptualized and theorized. Findings reveal conceptual confusion, inconsistent operationalization, and limited use of theory-driven models. The analysis identifies three dimensions—Actors and Behavior Dynamics, Context and Justification Dynamics, Manifestation and Nature Dynamics—highlighting the construct’s multidimensionality. In response, we propose a typology-based model grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, distinguishing five types of corruption tolerance: Attitudinal, Normative, Practical, Intentional, and Behavioral. This model offers a structured framework for precise conceptualization and empirical analysis. By advancing a theory-informed understanding of socio-cognitive, and contextual factors shaping tolerance, this work provides a foundation for future research and policy while emphasizing the need for behavioral sciences approaches. The research plan was preregistered at https://osf.io/f5zbg/?view_only=002f5e25b0de459e9498ef43e571766d}},
  author       = {{Bravo Matamoros, Ariana and Pozsgai-Alvarez, Joseph and Janssens, Jelle and Cevallos Valdiviezo, Holger and Kumar, Kuralarasan and Eeckhout, Marie and Vandeviver, Christophe}},
  keywords     = {{cognition,decision-making,social norms,governance}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  series       = {{CrimRxiv}},
  title        = {{Rethinking corruption tolerance : a critical interpretive synthesis and typology-based model grounded in the theory of planned behavior}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.21428/cb6ab371.595d51e0}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

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