“Stretched Tangle” – Interdisciplinary Summary of the Correspondence Between Corruption Analysis and Anti-corruption Strategies for Integrity-developers

Abstract

Positivist corruption theories and conceptual frames offer universal but simplifying problematization of complex phenomena. Interventions elaborated based on such models and introduced by top-down measures often hollow out during implementation. Post-positivist corruption theorists propose contextual analysis of corruption that explores local perceptions, corruption concepts and narratives in order to develop contextualized strategies. The article proposes to combine the rational analysis of structural conditions and post-positivist inquiry of the cultural context. The “Stretched Tangle” aims to capture the multiple aspects of corruption analysis and the interdependence of the factors analysed by different theoretical fields and models. The author proposes that, during the integrated risk management process, introduced in Hungarian public organizations in 2016, the Stretched Tangle, as a metaphor, is an excellent tool to initiate a discursive analytic process among stakeholders. The metaphor helps stakeholders to share their perceptions, experiences and concepts about corruption, and the evolving dialogue can connect stakeholders’ sense making and aspirations. The power of such a dialogue is that it can lead to shared understanding and strategies that can become the foundation of collective and coordinated action during implementation.