Effects of ICT Applications on Reducing Corruption in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Countries

According to recent studies, corruption in a society, emanating from the prevalence of asymmetrical and monopolistic information, is considered one of the most systematic impediments to economic development. Based on a hypothesis tested in the developed countries, ICT expansion, through information dissemination and establishment of e-governments, leads to more transparency and less corruption, though there have been doubts about its effectiveness in reducing corruption in the developing countries. In the present study, the validity of this hypothesis is tested using dynamic panel data method in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries during 2001-2010. The results confirm the links between ICT expansion and corruption decline in the countries of the study. Yet, the results obtained indicated that the relationship is stronger than what previous studies suggested. Also, the study results showed the resilient nature of corruption in the OIC countries.