Transparency in Public Procurement
Keywords:
Public Procurement; Transparency; Bribery; Corruption; Internal ControlAbstract
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/rc.v9i18.0456
ABSTRACT
The relationship between transparency in public procurement procedures and bribery risk in a public entity in the Latacunga canton during the period 2021-2024 is the subject of study in this current research. A mixed descriptive-correlational approach was implemented, through surveys applied to 326 participants involved in public procurement processes, which included institutional servants and suppliers. This analysis was complemented by the documentary evaluation of four audit reports published by the Office of the Comptroller General of the State. Quantitative data were processed using Spearman's correlation coefficient and descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed through thematic categorization of institutional findings. The results show that the perception of transparency is high (mean = 3.80) and that the risk of bribery is moderate (mean = 3.11). However, the correlation analysis did not reveal a statistically significant connection between the two variables (ρ = -0.027; p > 0.05), signaling that the decrease in bribery risk is not directly related to perceived transparency. The analysis of documents showed structural shortcomings throughout all phases of the contractual process, especially in the execution stage, in which problems such as undue payments, lack of control, poor traceability and discretion in decision-making were detected. Overall, the findings show a gap between formal transparency and the effectiveness of control mechanisms, concluding that transparency alone is not enough to prevent improper practices.
Keywords: Public Procurement; Transparency; Bribery; Corruption; Internal Control.
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