Paper Title
EXPLORING THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF CULTURE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACCEPTANCE OF CORRUPTION AND CORRUPT BEHAVIOUR

Abstract
The aim of the study is to explore the mediating effect of culture between the acceptance of corruption and corrupt behaviour. The research focuses on how cultural norms and values influence attitudes and behavioural patterns towards corruption. The impact of Hofstede's cultural dimensions is examined in relation to the level of acceptance of corruption and its practical manifestation. In this empirical study, we investigate the relationship between cultural values and corruption based on the ratings of more than 4,000 respondents. The results show that high values of the dimensions of masculinity and permissiveness are positively associated with corrupt activities, while uncertainty avoidance and power distance are associated with lower levels of corruption. The study shows that a deeper understanding of the role of culture can contribute to increasing the effectiveness of anti-corruption strategies, as such strategies can enable more culturally sensitive interventions. The results suggest that taking cultural contexts into account is essential in decision-making and social interventions related to corruption.