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Is there a Corruption-effect on Conspicuous Consumption?

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  • Omer Gokcekus
  • Yui Suzuki

Abstract

This study empirically explores the following issue: Does corruption fuel conspicuous consumption? It examines the existence and magnitude of any potential corruption-effect on conspicuous consumption expenditure. Regression analyses of an unbalanced panel data for 20 OECD countries between 2004 and 2010 indicate that luxury car sales are higher by 191 per cent in a country with a high perceived corruption level, for example, CPI score of 4.5, as compared to a country with a low perceived corruption level, for example, CPI score of 9.0, ceteris paribus. JEL Classification: D12; D73

Suggested Citation

  • Omer Gokcekus & Yui Suzuki, 2014. "Is there a Corruption-effect on Conspicuous Consumption?," Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, National Council of Applied Economic Research, vol. 8(3), pages 215-235, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:mareco:v:8:y:2014:i:3:p:215-235
    DOI: 10.1177/0973801014531135
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    2. Reza Tajaddini & Hassan F. Gholipour, 2018. "Control of Corruption and Luxury Goods Consumption," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 71(4), pages 613-641, November.
    3. Ünay Tamgaç Tezcan, 2016. "Reference Groups And Household Consumption: Evidence From Turkey," Ekonomi-tek - International Economics Journal, Turkish Economic Association, vol. 5(1), pages 71-107, January.
    4. Pablo Zárate, 2021. "Signaling corruption through conspicuous consumption," Young Researchers Working Papers 2, Universidad de San Andres, Departamento de Economia, revised Oct 2022.
    5. Eugen Dimant & Guglielmo Tosato, 2018. "Causes And Effects Of Corruption: What Has Past Decade'S Empirical Research Taught Us? A Survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(2), pages 335-356, April.
    6. Lu, Juan & Li, He, 2023. "The impact of environmental corruption on green consumption: A quantitative analysis based on China's Judicial Document Network and Baidu Index," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corruption; Conspicuous Consumption; Luxury Cars;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption

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