Corruption in public service delivery: Experience from South Asia's water and sanitation sector

This paper presents empirical information regarding the types and magnitude of corrupt behaviors documented in water supply and sanitation service provision in several South Asian localities. It also examines the strengths and weaknesses of current strategies to reduce corruption among several public water and sanitation bureaucracies in South Asia, drawing on interviews and focus group discussions with more than 1,400 staff, customers, and key informants. Where corruption has been reduced, two concomitant drivers are observed: a shift in the accountability networks of service providers, and a change in the work environment that increases the moral cost of misconduct. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.