Why Corruptions Become Normalized?

Technical Notes on Ashforth and Anand (2003)

Abstract

Ashforth and Anand (2003) focused on group-level collective corruption performed by multiple people in an organization and suggested a framework for its mechanism, and it is addressed “normalized corruption.” The factors leading to normalization can be divided into three categories: (1) institutionalization, (2) rationalization, and (3) socialization. The corruption that began with leadership is institutionalized by being embedded and routinized within the organization. And the act will be rationalized to reframe the concept of the people involved. Newcomers who would otherwise be aware of corruption are also coopted into socialization by the organization that conducts corruption. Therefore, it is very difficult to halt normalized corruption. Ashforth and Anand (2003) will help to reaffirm that corporate corruptions occur and persist because of the organization.