This open-access, peer-reviewed journal article examines the results of a pilot behavioural intervention in Tanzania. The project tested a behavioural anti-corruption intervention to reduce bribery in a hospital. It targeted deeply ingrained social norms while also leveraging the social networks and influence of key staff members.
Social norms and behaviour change (SNBC) approaches are a promising complement to conventional anti-corruption strategies. Adopting a context-sensitive and nuanced approach is an essential ingredient for success.
We wanted to understand if and how behavioural approaches can promote anti-corruption outcomes, as well as conditions for success.
A high-level meeting of heads of anti-corruption agencies in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) last month was a chance to take stock of member countries’ efforts to tackle corruption.
The meeting allowed for a reflection on many ongoing activities and discussions around Collective Action in the region this year. It was the perfect opportunity to reflect on how to galvanise joint efforts against the region’s biggest scourge.
Citizens and business people may invest significant time and money in building informal networks with public officials to overcome public service delivery shortcomings and access business opportunities. Understanding these networks better can strengthen anti-corruption efforts.
This research case study gives a brief overview of our Public Governance team's research in Uganda and Tanzania. Through interviews, the team explored when, how and why informal networks are built and used to access public services or business opportunities corruptly.
Publication
Research Case Study 1: Targeting corrupt behaviours in a Tanzanian hospital: A social norms approach
This research case study describes how a pilot behavioural anti-corruption intervention succeeded in reducing “gift giving” in a Tanzanian hospital. It targeted deeply ingrained social norms while also leveraging the social networks of key staff members.
A new special short report for the Basel AML Index analyses why so many Sub-Saharan African countries are on the so-called grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
News
New Working Paper on developing anti-corruption interventions based on a behaviour change approach
The Basel Institute's Public Governance team has published a new Working Paper that provides guidance on developing anti-corruption interventions based on a Social Norms and Behaviour Change (SNBC) approach.
Still a relatively nascent field, SNBC interventions typically address social norms that make corruption acceptable or expected, and attempt to influence behaviours away from corrupt practices.
Published in the peer-reviewed journal Governance, this paper interprets informal networks as investments made by citizens and business people to cope with the public sphere. Informal networks often orchestrate corruption, connecting public and private actors. The paper aims to understand their key characteristics, scopes, and functional roles.
Publication
Case Study 2: From the UK’s first Deferred Prosecution Agreement to a plea bargain in Tanzania
This case study explains how Tanzania’s anti-corruption and prosecution authorities worked together and with international partners on a case involving a major bank accused of violating the UK Bribery Act and subject to the UK’s first Deferred Prosecution Agreement.
Publication
Adopting a peer-led approach to disseminate anti-corruption messages: Results of the network survey
This report relates to the research project Addressing bribery in the Tanzanian health sector: A behavioural approach. As part of the project, a pilot behavioural intervention was implemented at a Tanzanian hospital that aimed to shift hospital users’ and health providers’ attitudes and perceived social norms around gift-giving. It also aimed to reduce actual exchanges of gifts.