Collective Action

Corruption is not simply about individual misconduct. It is a networked phenomenon that arises from entrenched social, economic and political interactions. It is orchestrated through coordination between groups and clusters of individuals.

This Working Paper explores the networked nature of corruption and the opportunities this presents for anti-corruption efforts. The aim is to understand how shifting the unit of analysis from individuals to networks helps to understand the persistence and resilience of corruption, while opening up new anti-corruption perspectives.

A meta-analysis of findings from more than 15 years of research on informal networks and corruption underpins the conceptualisation of corrupt networks. The paper argues that a focus on networks helps to shed light on the functionality of corruption – from petty bribery to large-scale public procurement fraud – and the underlying social norms that enable it.

Understanding the structures, functions and modus operandi of the informal networks associated with corruption and applying the network logic to anti-corruption strategies can help to achieve better outcomes. The paper specifically looks at anti-corruption Collective Action initiatives, suggesting that these should emulate positive aspects of informal networks.

About this Working Paper

This paper is published as part of the Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper series, ISSN: 2624-9650. It is a Diamond Open Access publication, also hosted on the Basel University Library’s open publishing platform eterna as part of our Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper Journal, with DOI: 10.12685/bigwp.2025.60.1-32.

You may share or republish it under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 International Licence.

The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Basel Institute on Governance, its donors and partners, or the University of Basel.

This report analyses the approaches of the previous five B20 presidencies to addressing anti-corruption Collective Action. It captures lessons learned and provides recommendations for future B20/G20 cycles. It is primarily intended for upcoming B20/G20 presidencies, B20 Integrity & Compliance Task Force members and organisations engaging with the B20/G20.

About this report

You may share or republish this report under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence.

The report was funded by the Siemens Integrity Initiative, which supports organisations in the fight against corruption and fraud through Collective Action, education and training. The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not reflect the position of Siemens or the Siemens Integrity Initiative.

This book offers a comprehensive reflection on that journey and explores the growing impact of multi-stakeholder collaboration on promoting business integrity around the world. It aims to capture the living ecosystem of Collective Action as it exists today, its foundations, its progress and the possibilities it continues to offer for the future.

This paper explores governments’ role in fostering, facilitating and engaging in collective action initiatives to support the private sector in its fight against corruption. Building on the OECD Anti-Bribery Recommendation, the first international standard to recommend collective action as a tool to fight foreign bribery, the paper examines when, how and for what purposes governments participate in such initiatives. The paper offers a blueprint for government authorities seeking to support anti-corruption collective action initiatives in ways that are strategic, effective and sustainable.

This Working Paper provides a theoretical and practical contribution to strengthening the evidence base for anti-corruption Collective Action – i.e. collaborative efforts by diverse actors from the private sector, civil society and public institutions to address integrity challenges that no single actor can resolve alone.

It combines a new conceptual framework for Collective Action initiatives, updated data and practical tools. Together, these will help researchers, practitioners and policymakers compare initiatives, test assumptions and design more effective collaborations.

The paper provides insights into how Collective Action works in practice; the impact of different social and political environments; how to link Collective Action with real-world improvements in corruption prevention; and whether initiatives’ activities are actually contributing to their stated goals.

About this report

This paper is made possible through the support of the Siemens Integrity Initiative.

The paper is published as part of the Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper series, ISSN: 2624-9650. It is a Diamond Open Access publication, also hosted on the Basel University Library’s open publishing platform eterna as part of our Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper Journal, with DOI: 10.12685/bigwp.2025.57.60.

You may share or republish it under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 International Licence.

The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Basel Institute on Governance, its donors and partners, or the University of Basel.