Jaka Sriyana

De-normalizing corruption in the Indonesian public sector through behavioral re-engineering

Purpose Based on the authors’ study, the purpose of this paper is to ascertain the best approach to mitigate corruption in the Indonesian public sector. To do so, the paper uses three behavioral perspectives: the Schemata Theory, the Corruption Normalization Theory and the Moral Development Theory. Design/methodology/approach This paper is part of the authors’ study to examine corruption patterns in Indonesia in the past 10 years through examination of reports from various institutions as well as other relevant documents addresses corruption-related issues to explore various options for mitigating corruption through behavioral re-engineering. For the purpose of gaining various perspectives on anti-corruption measures, this study also uses expert interviews and focus group discussions with relevant experts in Indonesia and Australia on various corruption-related issues. Findings The authors establish that despite the fall of the New Order regime nearly two decades ago, corruption remains entrenched within the post-Suharto Governments. The normalized corruption in Indonesia is a legacy of the New Order regime that shaped societal, organizational and individual schemata in Indonesia. The patrimonial style of leadership in particular within the regional governments resulted in increasing rent-seeking activities within the decentralized system. The leadership style is also believed to have been supporting the normalization of corruption within the public sector since the New Order era. The three-decade-old systematic normalization of corruption in the Indonesian public sector can only be changed by means of long and systematic de-normalization initiatives. To design the best intervention measures, decision makers must first identify multiple factors that constitute the three normalization pillars: institutionalization, rationalization and normalization. Measures such as periodical reviews of operational procedures, appointment of leaders with sound morality, anti-corruption education programs, administering “cultural shocks”, just to name a few, can be part of multifaceted strategies to bring down the normalization pillars. Research limitations/implications The discussion on the options for de-normalization of corruption in Indonesia is focused on corruption within the Indonesian public institutions by interviewing anti-fraud professionals and scholars. A better formulation of strategic approaches can be developed by means of interviews with incarcerated corruption offenders from the Indonesian public institutions. Practical implications This paper contributes to the development of corruption eradication strategy by suggesting options for de-normalizing corruption in the Indonesian public sector so that resources can be allocated more effectively and efficiently to mitigate the problem. Originality/value This paper highlights the importance of behavior-oriented approaches in mitigating corruption in the Indonesian public sector.

Forgetting corruption: unlearning the knowledge of corruption in the Indonesian public sector

Purpose Based on the authors’ study, the main purpose of this paper is to ascertain a systematic long-term solution for the corruption problem in the Indonesian public sector from the knowledge management perspective. To achieve its objectives, this paper applies multiple perspectives and theories of corruption and knowledge management on the corruption problem in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the authors’ study to assess the corruption problem in the Indonesian public sector in the past decade through the examination of reports from various institutions and other relevant documents to highlight various behavioral issues in knowledge management in the Indonesian public sector and how they relate to corruption. Findings The authors establish that a major factor behind corruption’s ability to regenerate over time in the Indonesian public sector is the fact that it has become part of knowledge conversion in Indonesian public institutions for so long that removing it would be a very challenging task. To remove corruption from Indonesian public institutions is to remove it from the existing knowledge conversion spiral within these institutions by means of organizational unlearning and re-learning. The primary focus of the unlearning and re-learning process should be to eliminate the knowledge of corruption, in both tacit and explicit forms, and replace it with the knowledge of good governance, accountability and integrity. Through systematic organizational unlearning and re-learning along with other more repressive measures, the risk of corruption in public institutions in Indonesia will gradually diminish over time. Research limitations/implications This study is relying on documentary analysis to highlight the trend in behavioral problems in relation to knowledge conversion in the Indonesian public sector. Future studies should incorporate interviews with corruption offenders and local leaders to gain a more accurate view of how knowledge conversion plays its role in the growth and regeneration of corruption in the Indonesian public sector. Practical implications This paper contributes to the development of corruption eradication strategy by proposing a framework for systematically removing corruption knowledge from an organization. With this, framework resources can be allocated more effectively and efficiently to achieve the objectives of corruption prevention. Originality/value This paper highlights the importance of behavior-oriented approaches in mitigating corruption in the Indonesian public sector.