Culture versus Structure: A Critical Perspective on the Role of Culture in Tax Evasion

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-91
Author(s):  
Robert Hutchinson

ABSTRACT Culture is a somewhat nebulous term, particularly in the context of accounting scholarship. Historically, it has been offered as a factor to explain many economic phenomena, including tax evasion. Utilizing Hofstede's (1980, 2001) cultural dimensions and data from the World Bank from 2005–2010, this study takes an exploratory approach to develop a stepwise, forward selection regression model to better illuminate this phenomenon vis-à-vis culture and economic structure. The results suggest, at least within the context of tax evasion, that cultural indices may be redundant in the presence of other readily available socio-economic indicators. This brings the age-old debate of culture versus structure to the forefront of accounting scholarship and policymaking.

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Andrew Clemens ◽  
Michael R. Kremer
Keyword(s):  

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 406-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Kriese ◽  
Joshua Yindenaba Abor ◽  
Elikplimi Agbloyor

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role of financial consumer protection (FCP) in the access–development nexus. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on cross-country data on 102 countries surveyed in the World Bank Global Survey on FCP and Financial Literacy (2013). The White heteroscedasticity adjusted regressions and Two-stage least squares regressions (2SLS) are used for the estimation. Findings Interactions between FCP regulations that foster fair treatment, disclosure, dispute resolution and recourse and financial access have positive net effects on economic development. However, there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that interactions between financial access and enforcement and compliance monitoring regulations have a significant effect on economic development. Practical implications First, policy makers should continue with efforts aimed at instituting FCP regimes as part of strategies aimed at broadening access to financial services for enhanced economic development. Second, instituting FCP regimes per se may not be enough. Policy makers need to consider possible intervening factors such as the provision of adequate resources and supervisory authority, for compliance monitoring and enforcement to achieve the expected positive effect on economic development. Originality/value This study extends evidence in the law–finance–growth literature by providing empirical evidence on the effect of legal institution specific to the protection of retail financial consumers on the access–development nexus using a nouvel data set, the World Bank Global survey on FCP and Financial Literacy (2013).


1964 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-442
Author(s):  
Ronald Robinson

At the fourth Cambridge conference on development problems, the role of industry was discussed by ministers, senior officials, economic advisers, and business executives, from 22 African, Asian, and Caribbean countries, the United Nations, and the World Bank. Have some, if not all, of Africa's new nations now reached the stage when it would pay them to put their biggest bets on quick industrialisation? Or must they go on putting most of their money and brains into bringing about an agricultural revolution first, before striving for industrial take-off? These questions started the conference off on one of its big themes.


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