Digitalization of Public Administration as a Tool to Reduce Corruption Risks

Abstract

Corruption is one of the main vulnerabilities faced by public administration, which has the effect of diminishing citizens' trust in public institutions and the efficiency with which the decision-making process is carried out. The digitalization of services offered by state institutions has become in recent years, one of the most important tools for preventing corruption risks by increasing transparency and reducing direct contact between public official and citizens. In the context of the rapid development of digital tools, public institutions in Romania have the opportunity to become much more transparent and to offer much better quality services to citizens through the use of technology. Digitalization promises greater transparency but also, higher efficiency of public acts. Although the phenomenon of corruption cannot be completely eliminated, a number of measures can be taken to keep it under control. This article analyzes the role that digitalization has in terms of corruption risk management, also highlighting good practices from certain European Union member states. E-government models are implemented in Denmark, Finland and Estonia, these states being recognized for their high level of administrative digitalization and for their performance in the field of public integrity. This paper also examines the role of e-Government solutions in reducing corruption risks by minimizing direct interactions between public officials and citizens and increasing traceability of decision-making processes. Digitalization can significantly contribute to reducing the risks of corrupt behaviors and to strengthening decision-making transparency. UDC: 004:351; JEL: M10, M15