Does Internet Use Help in Reducing Corruption in Selected Asian Economies? A Panel Data Estimation

In the modern world, corruption affects every community, but information and communication technologies (ICTs) control and lessen their negative effects on economic performance. In this study, the effect of Internet use and economic performance on corruption is evaluated for the period of 2005 to 2015 with the help of an advanced panel estimate method. The study used a novel panel data estimation technique, the augmented Anderson–Hsiao (AAH) estimator for dynamic short-T panels is proposed by Chudik and Pesaran (2022). The results demonstrate that the use of the Internet is a potent instrument for eliminating corruption in the sample nations through the adoption of e-government, resulting in enhanced economic performance. It is argued that better economic performance is another element that lowers corruption. The use of the Internet gives foreign investors more trust and helps the economy to grow. The findings of this study also have significant policy implications and insights for Asian nations.