Examining bribery in Papua New Guinea's public sector: forms and accountability implications

Purpose>The purpose of this study is to examine bribery and its accountability implications within Papua New Guinea's (PNG's) public sector.Design/methodology/approach>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 senior public servants from three central government departments....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of public budgeting, accounting & financial management accounting & financial management, 2022-01, Vol.34 (1), p.96-119
Main Authors: Tiki, Samson, Luke, Belinda, Mack, Janet
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accountability
Actor-network theory
Bribery
Central government
Corruption
Corruption in government
Departments
Development banks
Economic growth
GDP
Government agencies
Gross Domestic Product
Infrastructure
Localization
Monetary policy
Offenses
Policy making
Politics
Prime ministers
Public sector
Transparency
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Summary:Purpose>The purpose of this study is to examine bribery and its accountability implications within Papua New Guinea's (PNG's) public sector.Design/methodology/approach>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 senior public servants from three central government departments. Perceptions, forms and accountability dimensions compromised through bribery were analysed through an actor network theory (ANT) lens to understand the actors contributing to bribery and how it might be addressed.Findings>Forms (and variations) of bribery included “promises” by clients, pre-commitments by public servants and expectations/obligations imposed by public servants. Multiple and interdependent actors (including compromised accountability perceptions) are identified.Practical implications>Findings provide important insights for public servants and policy-makers within and beyond PNG's government departments, highlighting the associated implications for individuals, the public sector and the country more broadly.Originality/value>The incorporation and analysis of accountability dimensions through an ANT lens provides new perspectives on bribery. Further, the significance and extent of compromised accountability dimensions within the network suggests a broken accountability system.
ISSN:1096-3367
1945-1814
DOI:10.1108/JPBAFM-11-2019-0169