CAN DIGITAL TRANSPARENCY TOOLS SYSTEMATICALLY REDUCE CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT? EVIDENCE FROM ESTONIA, UKRAINE AND BRAZIL

This study addresses a critical gap in the existing literature, which has primarily focused on general transparency rather than the specific impact of digital tools in various political and institutional contexts. Despite the proliferation of e-governance initiatives, there is limited empirical research systematically comparing the effectiveness of digital transparency in mitigating corruption across multiple countries.To bridge this gap, we investigate how digital governance platforms influence institutional accountability and reduce corruption in Ukraine, Estonia, and Brazil. Using a combination of econometric modeling, comparative case analysis, and time-series analysis across 120 government institutions, we demonstrate that digital transparency tools—particularly open data platforms, e-procurement systems, and AI-driven fraud detection—are associated with statistically significant reductions in corruption rates. Estonia, with its mature digital ecosystem, achieved a 39% reduction in corruption, followed by Ukraine (28%) and Brazil (16%). The novelty of this study lies in its comparative design, the integration of AI analytics, and the identification of conditions under which digital transparency tools are most effective. Our findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the need for robust digital infrastructure, legal mandates for data openness, and civic engagement to maximize anti-corruption outcomes. This research contributes new empirical knowledge on how digital transparency tools can transform public administration and strengthen institutional integrity.