“IT’S NOT LIKE THIS IS A CORRUPTION SCANDAL…” A qualitative content analysis of the link between gender and corruption and the mechanisms at play

Abstract

The link between gender and corruption has been studied since the beginning of this century and a number of theories have been suggested about why women seem to be more averse towards corruption than men. However, most of the studies are large-N and only look at the relationship on an aggregated level. There is thus a need for a closer examination of the actual mechanisms that link gender with corruption in real cases, which is what this thesis aims to contribute with. Looking at investigation protocols and court rulings from corruption cases in Sweden committed by men and women in typical male- and female areas, this allows for an insight in the motivations and reasoning that’s behind these actions and the mechanisms at play. Using a combination of a comparative case study and a qualitative content analysis, this thesis presents both some new mechanisms as well as it elaborates on how already known mechanisms play out in actual cases. The results show that men don’t seem to care about laws to the same extent as women do, who care more about morals than men. These findings could fit in to some of the existing theories on gender and corruption, such as the distinction between need and greed driven corruption, which will be discussed. Further, as the cases take place in one of the most gender equal countries in the world, Sweden, findings about gender differences here could most likely also be found in other parts of the world.