From symbolism to substance: how IPSAS implementation shapes governance and corruption in emerging economies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of international public sector accounting standard adoption on corruption in the UAE, Jordan and Egypt, with an emphasis placed on how increased financial transparency and accountability impact governance and corruption prevention. Design/methodology/approach The research is conducted using a quantitative examination with secondary data from 2010 to 2023 derived from the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and Worldwide Governance Indicators of the World Bank. The research evaluates the relationship between IPSAS adoption and curbing corruption by comparing pre- and post-IPSAS adoption data. Findings The results indicate that the UAE’s complete adoption of IPSAS has notably enhanced transparency in financial reporting as well as curbed corruption, thanks to robust legal frameworks and political stability. The partial adoption by Jordan is associated with favorable, though conditional, results based on supplementary anti-corruption measures. The limited adoption in Egypt underscores the obstacles presented by deep-rooted corruption as well as weaker infrastructures. Practical implications The study provides valuable insights for policymakers in emerging economies. It underscores the necessity for comprehensive legal and institutional reforms, political stability and supplementary anti-corruption measures to fully realize IPSAS’s benefits. The research offers practical guidance on leveraging IPSAS to enhance public sector transparency and accountability. Originality/value The contribution of this research is to address an important lacuna in existing literature by providing a comparative analysis of IPSAS adoption in three emerging markets with both theoretical and practice-based contributions to understanding how IPSAS can enhance governance and mitigate corruption.