Version 1
: Received: 19 September 2024 / Approved: 20 September 2024 / Online: 23 September 2024 (08:13:12 CEST)
How to cite:
Verwoerd, J. The Paradox of Decentralization: Impact on Corruption in Water Utilities. Preprints2024, 2024091652. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202409.1652.v1
Verwoerd, J. The Paradox of Decentralization: Impact on Corruption in Water Utilities. Preprints 2024, 2024091652. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202409.1652.v1
Verwoerd, J. The Paradox of Decentralization: Impact on Corruption in Water Utilities. Preprints2024, 2024091652. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202409.1652.v1
APA Style
Verwoerd, J. (2024). The Paradox of Decentralization: Impact on Corruption in Water Utilities. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202409.1652.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Verwoerd, J. 2024 "The Paradox of Decentralization: Impact on Corruption in Water Utilities" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202409.1652.v1
Abstract
This study examines the impact of decentralisation on corruption levels in water utilities across central India, challenging the widely held assumption that decentralisation reduces corruption. Using experience-based measures and a natural experiment approach, the research compares corruption levels between centralised and decentralised water supply agencies Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The study employs a longitudinal survey conducted from over five years, focusing on bribery in various aspects of water service provision. Results indicate that decentralised agencies exhibit significantly higher levels of corruption compared to centralised ones, particularly in the initial stages of decentralisation. While a gradual reduction in corruption is observed over time, the difference between decentralised and centralised utilities remains significant in the medium term. These findings contradict the simplistic view of decentralisation as a cure-all for governance issues and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of its effects on public service provision. The study contributes to the ongoing debate on decentralisation policies and their implications for corruption in developing countries, offering valuable insights for managers.
Keywords
decentralisation; corruption; water utilities; governance
Subject
Business, Economics and Management, Business and Management
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
