Do local corruption-related convictions shape perceptions of country-level corruption?

Purpose Corruption occupies an important place in contemporary economic, business and ethics research. Scholars have exploited either survey results or the number of convictions to measure corruption. This study aims to examine whether and how local corruption convictions affect corruption perceptions. Design/methodology/approach The authors use data on convictions for corruption offenses to estimate logit and ordered logit models, and explain the results of a survey on corruption perceptions conducted that covered more than 2,000 people from Poland. Findings The relationship between local convictions and corruption perceptions is negative, non-linear and moderated by survey respondent characteristics. Interestingly, treating the absence of convictions as a license for corrupt behavior does not apply to respondents who are entrepreneurs and managers. Originality/value First, the unique empirical approach based on local conviction rates and the general perception of corruption intensity helps in understanding how corruption perceptions are shaped. Hence, the conclusions may help in interpreting future research results on the relationship between corruption, and various financial and economic phenomena. Second, the study complements the modest literature on corruption in Central European post-transition countries.