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The trickster’s legacy: The folklore roots of corruption

Author

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  • Jean-Baptiste Marigo

    (LARGE - Laboratoire de Recherche en Gestion et Economie - UNISTRA - Université de Strasbourg)

  • Laurent Weill

    (LARGE - Laboratoire de Recherche en Gestion et Economie - UNISTRA - Université de Strasbourg, EM Strasbourg - École de Management de Strasbourg = EM Strasbourg Business School - UNISTRA - Université de Strasbourg, UK - Univerzita Karlova [Praha, Česká republika] = Charles University [Prague, Czech Republic] = Université Charles [Prague, Republique tchèque])

Abstract

This study examines the role of oral traditions in shaping corruption. Using firm-level data on a large sample of 82,922 firms covering 287 cultural societies in 125 countries, we analyze how the representation of antisocial behavior in folklore is associated with corruption. Our findings reveal that societies with folklore portraying antisocial behaviors as successful tend to exhibit higher levels of corruption, while those with oral traditions emphasizing the negative outcomes of such behaviors experience lower corruption. By distinguishing demand-and supply-side corruption channels, we document that folklore is associated with variations in bribe-related decisions, both for firms that are initiators and targets. Thus, our work contributes to the understanding of deeprooted cultural determinants of corruption.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Baptiste Marigo & Laurent Weill, 2026. "The trickster’s legacy: The folklore roots of corruption," Post-Print hal-05615276, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05615276
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2026.04.004
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05615276v1
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