Corruption in the construction industry: A review of recent literature

Because of corruption scandals, a massive restructuring process is unfolding in the construction industry. Corruption is a universal phenomenon; its characteristics have been widely investigated and the findings published. However, the corruption perception index of Transparency International shows that corruption is higher in emerging countries, raising the following research questions: How has the phenomenon of corruption in the construction industry recently been understood by researchers when publishing their findings? Who is involved in corruption, and what are the causes, consequences, and forms of, and barriers to solving it? This study (a) reviews recent literature on corruption published in top international journals; and (b) seeks for peculiarities published about corruption in one of the largest emerging markets and countries perceived as one of the most corrupt — Brazil. Findings show the need for structural changes in strategies to prevent corrupt practices and extend the literature deepening our understanding of this disruptive phenomenon.