The Conditional Promise of Open Data: A Cross-Country Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Corruption Control

To explore the conditions under which open data facilitates or hinders the reduction of corruption, this article proposes a configurational framework linking transparency, publicity and accountability. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) of 82 countries reveals that open data is neither necessary nor sufficient on its own. The article identifies three equifinal pathways to low corruption: two include open data as a peripheral element of broader configurations, while a third achieves low corruption through state–society synergy even without it. It also identifies three distinct pathways to high corruption. These findings illustrate the “conditional promise” of open data, underscoring the need to align transparency initiatives with existing publicity and accountability infrastructures.