Abstract for: Using a Qualitative System Dynamics Approach to Investigate Perception of Corruption

Over the past few decades, many studies of corruption have been carried out. These studies have mainly focused on specific characteristics such as: economic issues, legal issues, and social propositions. In this article we have described the concept of modeling corruption in Pakistan using a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD). Corruption represents a very dangerous social phenomenon observed in many parts of the world. However, its manifestation in a developing country is an especially destructive agent against human development. The System Dynamics (SD) approach has been extended in the past several years through its application to new problems such as modeling state instability, supply chain management, and analysis of different nation building policies. The main objective of this study is to develop a theoretical framework which can be used to study corruption dynamics by means of SD. The methodology employed is a case study. Semi structured interviews with key stakeholders such as: government ministries, donor agencies, judiciary, police departments, non-governmental organizations and the general public are done. On the basis of literature and social theory we have developed three preliminary CLD models of corruption. The data for the qualitative system dynamics analysis comes from 30 interviews conducted in (Islamabad) Pakistan.