Abstract
Notwithstanding the voluminous studies of Hong Kong’s anticorruption experience and the admiration the ICAC has earned from
other governments as a model for “institutional engineering,” little is known about how the public in Hong Kong has perceived
and responded to corruption. Less clear is what factors beyond a powerful and independent anticorruption agency have made
the Hong Kong experience possible. Drawing on original survey data collected in Hong Kong in 2010–2011, this study investigates
what determines individual propensities to accept or reject corruption and explores the role of a zero-tolerance culture in
preventing corruption. Evidence confirms the existence of a low tolerance for corruption in Hong Kong. It also reveals a more
significant impact of informal institutions than formal ones on corruption tolerance levels. As the very first study of zero
tolerance of corruption, this research adds considerable depth to our understanding of why Hong Kong has become one of the
most corruption-free societies in the world and of the importance of civic engagement in deterring actual and potential corruption.
other governments as a model for “institutional engineering,” little is known about how the public in Hong Kong has perceived
and responded to corruption. Less clear is what factors beyond a powerful and independent anticorruption agency have made
the Hong Kong experience possible. Drawing on original survey data collected in Hong Kong in 2010–2011, this study investigates
what determines individual propensities to accept or reject corruption and explores the role of a zero-tolerance culture in
preventing corruption. Evidence confirms the existence of a low tolerance for corruption in Hong Kong. It also reveals a more
significant impact of informal institutions than formal ones on corruption tolerance levels. As the very first study of zero
tolerance of corruption, this research adds considerable depth to our understanding of why Hong Kong has become one of the
most corruption-free societies in the world and of the importance of civic engagement in deterring actual and potential corruption.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s11205-012-0071-3
- Authors
- Ting Gong, Department of Public and Social Administration, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shiru Wang, Department of Public and Social Administration, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Journal Social Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1573-0921
- Print ISSN 0303-8300