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Addis Ababa University Libraries Electronic Thesis and Dissertations: AAU-ETD! >
Institute of Regional and Local Development >
Thesis - Regional and Local Development >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/891
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| Title: | CORRUPTION AND ANTI-CORRUPTION IN ETHIOPIA: A CASE STUDY OF THE ETHIOPIAN CUSTOMS AUTHORITY |
| Authors: | Ayallew, Shiimelliiss |
| Advisors: | Dr. Kassahun Berhanu |
| Copyright: | 2005 |
| Date Added: | 22-Apr-2008 |
| Publisher: | Addis Ababa University |
| Abstract: | One great enemy of development is corruption. Corruption is widely understood as “misuse of
public power for private gain”. The costs of corruption to the economy, legitimacy and social
development of a country are enormous. The effects of corruption to the poor, the marginalized
and vulnerable groups in general are severe. Corruption has become serious problem in
Ethiopia. This research has intended to explore the phenomenon of corruption and anticorruption
in the country in general and the nature and forms of workplace corruption in
particular with special emphasis to the Ethiopian Customs Authority.
Given the lack of previous research in this area, the study is exploratory; it also calls for
empirical studies for there is almost no research on the topic. The research is descriptive in
nature and hence qualitative approach was employed. The source of information was both
primary and secondary data. Primary data was gathered and analyzed from 21 knowledgeable
government officials, civil society leaders, private sector representatives and civil servants
working in relevant positions while secondary data from the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission was used.
The findings of the research revealed that corruption has become a serious problem of the
country. Both petty and grand corruption and all major forms of corruption have been prevalent
in workplaces. Favoritism and bribery were reported as most common. In customs, valuation,
classification, examination, services associated with delay, duty free service, outright smuggling,
and embezzlement were reported as the most widespread areas and forms of corruption while
need and poor working conditions, greed and rent seeking behaviors, attitudinal problem,
existence of backward working system, and resource constraints and administrative discretion
are reported as major causes. According, to the perception of both the employees and officials of
the Authority, the nature of the work performed, working condition, and organizational culture
have been identified in order of importance as major corruption optimizing risk factors in
Custom Authority.
The research has revealed three scenarios regarding reporting cases of corruption in the
country: first, the society reports but the reports mostly fail to take effect because of lack of
supporting evidences; second, some consider corruption a “necessary evil” and hence do not
report; and third, the society does not report because of lack of confidence about effectiveness of
the process in general. In workplaces as well, employees who exactly know about the occurrence
of corrupt practices usually do not report because they are either accomplices or are indifferent.
Moreover, the study has revealed that the weak national integrity system of the country and
absence of effective institutional anti-corruption strategies are responsible for undermining the
anti-corruption efforts that are underway.
Key words: corruption, workplace corruption, national and institutional anti-corruption
strategies, national integrity system, Ethiopian Customs Authority |
| Description: | A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF ARTS IN REGIONAL AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/891 |
| Appears in: | Thesis - Regional and Local Development
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