Open AccessEconomic Crisis and Corruption in the European Union
Author(s) -
Mihaiela Ristei Gugiu,
P. Cristian Gugiu
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of methods and measurement in the social sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2159-7855
DOI - 10.2458/jmm.v7i1.19398
Subject(s) - eurobarometer , european union , language change , perception , structural equation modeling , multilevel model , economics , development economics , political science , economic policy , psychology , art , statistics , literature , mathematics , neuroscience , machine learning , computer science
Although significant attention has been paid to the impact of the recent economic crisis on European economies, less attention has been devoted to the association between the economic crisis and corruption. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM), the present study investigated the structural relationship between the economic crisis and perceptions of corruption in the European Union. Standard and multilevel SEM was used to estimate the relationship between the economic crisis and perceptions of corruption utilizing data from the 2011 Eurobarometer. The results confirmed the hypothesized model. Specifically, the study found a moderately strong direct positive relationship between the economic crisis and perceptions of corruption. The results indicated that a one-size-fits-all policy aimed at combating corruption, or perceptions thereof, is likely to yield inconsistent results.