Corruption in Lebanon: An Exploratory Study About Lebanese Managers‟ and Employees‟ Perceptions

Corruption is one of the major factors which affects the development of the economic sector in Lebanon. Thepurpose of the present study was to investigate the ways in which the perceptions on corruption differed amongmanagers and employees in Lebanese businesses. The study focused on the underlying assumptions made aboutcorruption, the ways in which corruption affects business operations, and the preference for certain strategies todeal with corruption in the business sector. The study followed a quantitative approach relying on a web-basedsurvey. The final valid sample consisted of 50 Lebanese managers and employees. The results showed a positiveinclination toward the corrupt behaviour either due to social norms which tolerate corruption or as a result ofhigh-performance expectations from superiors. In addition, findings showed large discrepancies in regard to thecontribution of organizational norms to the proliferation of corruption in the business sector. In fact employeesconsidered that managers often overlook and sometimes even encourage corrupt behaviours that allow theattainment of organizational goals. The study highlights that corruption is engrained in Lebanon and has becomeprevalent to high extent that business actors use corrupt practices to be able to perform their activities andmaintain their competitiveness. The findings of the study stress the urgency for business practitioners to takeimmediate action to mitigate corrupted actions by introducing changes in the organizational culture. Stressingand encouraging ethical values to combat corruption is a priority for all business actors as well as for publicpolicy makers. Mediation of corruption necessitates more public awareness campaigns disclosing the negativeeffects of corruption on the health of sound business and the economy of the country at large.