Presenting a Conceptual Model for Financial Corruption Detection Based on Transparency and Financial Discipline Using a Thematic Analysis Approach
Keywords:
Financial corruption, fraudulent financial reporting, transparency, financial discipline, content analysis, conceptual modelAbstract
The present study aimed to develop a conceptual model for financial corruption detection based on transparency and financial discipline using thematic analysis. This applied study adopted an exploratory qualitative design. Participants included 21 academics, auditors, inspectors, financial managers, and experts in accounting, internal control, financial supervision, and corruption prevention in Tehran. They were selected through purposive criterion-based and snowball sampling. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews, and recruitment continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The data were analyzed through the six phases of thematic analysis, including familiarization with the data, initial coding, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and developing the final model. MAXQDA software was used for data organization and retrieval. The credibility and dependability of the findings were ensured through member checking, peer review, constant comparison, prolonged engagement with the data, and documentation of analytical decisions. Analysis of the interviews generated 1,248 meaningful statements, 412 initial codes, 93 basic themes, 25 organizing themes, and 6 overarching themes. The overarching themes comprised financial transparency infrastructure, financial discipline mechanisms, intelligent detection and monitoring capacities, organizational governance and accountability, barriers and corruption-risk conditions, and outcomes and feedback of financial corruption detection. The findings indicated that financial transparency enhanced the visibility of irregularities through completeness, accuracy, timeliness, accessibility, comparability, and traceability of information. Financial discipline provided standards for identifying misconduct through budgetary, contractual, accounting, expenditure, payment, and internal-control requirements. Intelligent monitoring capacities acted as an operational mechanism that converted financial information and disciplinary rules into risk alerts and investigable evidence. Organizational governance, oversight independence, managerial accountability, and a supportive reporting culture strengthened the model, whereas conflicts of interest, political interference, regulatory ambiguity, concentration of authority, and organizational secrecy weakened its effectiveness. The outcomes of effective detection included early identification, loss reduction, stronger deterrence, institutional trust, process correction, and organizational learning.
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Copyright (c) 1403 Zeinab Nateghi Rostami (Author); Roya Darabi (Corresponding author); Zohre Hajiha (Author)
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