CAN DIGITAL TRANSPARENCY TOOLS SYSTEMATICALLY REDUCE CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT? EVIDENCE FROM ESTONIA, UKRAINE AND BRAZIL

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 31st May 2025. Vol.103. No.10 © Little Lion Scientific ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195 4256 CAN DIGITAL TRANSPARENCY TOOLS SYSTEMATICALLY REDUCE CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT? EVIDENCE FROM ESTONIA, UKRAINE AND BRAZIL OLEKSANDR KOTUKOV1, DMYTRO KARAMYSHEV2, TETIANA KOTUKOVA3, ALINA CHERNOIVANENKO4, ARTEM SERENOK5 1V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Department of Public Policy, Institute of Public Administration, Ukraine 2V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Department of Public Policy, Educational and Scientific Institute «Institute of Public Administration», Ukraine 3V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Department of Public Policy, Institute of Public Administration, Ukraine 4V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Department of Public Policy, Educational and Scientific Institute “Institute of Public Administration”, Ukraine 5V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Department of Public Policy of Educational and Scientific Institute "Institute of Public Administration", Ukraine E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT This study addresses a critical gap in the existing literature, which has primarily focused on general transparency rather than the specific impact of digital tools in various political and institutional contexts. Despite the proliferation of e-governance initiatives, there is limited empirical research systematically comparing the effectiveness of digital transparency in mitigating corruption across multiple countries.To bridge this gap, we investigate how digital governance platforms influence institutional accountability and reduce corruption in Ukraine, Estonia, and Brazil. Using a combination of econometric modeling, comparative case analysis, and time-series analysis across 120 government institutions, we demonstrate that digital transparency tools—particularly open data platforms, e-procurement systems, and AI-driven fraud detection—are associated with statistically significant reductions in corruption rates. Estonia, with its mature digital ecosystem, achieved a 39% reduction in corruption, followed by Ukraine (28%) and Brazil (16%). The novelty of this study lies in its comparative design, the integration of AI analytics, and the identification of conditions under which digital transparency tools are most effective. Our findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the need for robust digital infrastructure, legal mandates for data openness, and civic engagement to maximize anti-corruption outcomes. This research contributes new empirical knowledge on how digital transparency tools can transform public administration and strengthen institutional integrity. Keywords: Digital Transparency; Corruption Reduction; E-Governance; Institutional Accountability; Public Administration 1. INTRODUCTION The rapid digital transformation of governance systems has opened new avenues for increasing transparency and accountability in the public sector [1]. Digital transparency, understood as the utilization of digital technologies to enhance access to government information, has emerged as a Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 31st May 2025. Vol.103. No.10 © Little Lion Scientific ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195 4257 pivotal tool in combating corruption, a global challenge that significantly affects public trust and economic stability [2]. Corruption not only hampers economic growth but also weakens confidence in government bodies, distorts public procurement processes, and adversely impacts service delivery to citizens. So, examining how digital transparency contributes to reducing corruption within government bodies and public administration is of paramount importance [3]. This issue is particularly relevant for nations adopting e-government systems, digital reporting mechanisms, and open data initiatives as part of their anti-corruption strategies at the national level [4]. Despite the growing implementation of digital transparency tools, there remains a limited number of studies on the impact of institutional contexts on the effectiveness of government-driven digital initiatives in anti-corruption efforts [5]. Much of the existing literature has focused on the overarching concept of transparency without delving into the specific contributions of mechanisms such as digital procurement platforms, online budget tracking systems, and centralized government data portals in mitigating corruption [6]. Besides, there is a research gap regarding the conditions determining government-led transparency initiatives' success or failure. This underscores the necessity of further research into how digital technologies are incorporated into governance frameworks to enhance accountability and reduce corruption across diverse sectors [7]. This paper seeks to explore how digital transparency facilitates corruption reduction within government bodies and public administration. Emphasis is placed on digital anti-corruption tools, including open data platforms, e-government systems, and digital monitoring mechanisms. The research employs international data and case studies to present novel approaches for evaluating the efficacy of digital transparency in the public sector governance. This aim of this research is to study the effectiveness of digital transparency in reducing corruption in government bodies. In particular, it seeks to identify the most impactful digital anticorruption tools, evaluate their effectiveness in different political and institutional contexts, and determine the key conditions influencing their success. By analysing data from Ukraine, Estonia, and Brazil, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital governance can enhance public sector integrity and accountability. The objectives of the study include: 1. Examine the relationship between corruption rates and digital transparency in government bodies; 2. Evaluate specific digital governance tools that have proven successful in combating corruption; 3. Identify conditions that influence the implementation of digital transparency initiatives in public administration; 4. Conduct a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of digital transparency in countries with varying levels of digital governance integration. The paper contributes to this understanding by addressing the objectives of how government-led digital initiatives enhance transparency, strengthen institutional accountability, and reduce corruption risks in public administration systems worldwide. Despite numerous studies, little attention has been paid to comparative, multi-country analyses that assess how digital tools function under varying degrees of institutional maturity and political stability. This study addresses that gap by combining statistical modeling with comparative policy evaluation. It offers new knowledge about the enabling conditions for digital transparency and provides original findings on tool-specific effectiveness across three governance contexts. Unlike earlier work focused narrowly on eprocurement or data portals, this study integrates open government data, AI-driven fraud detection, and digital whistleblower mechanisms into a unified evaluation model. 2. LITERATURE REVIEW Digital transparency has emerged as a vital tool in combating corruption in government bodies. Researchers have extensively studied the role of digital tools, e-government initiatives, and emerging technologies in promoting transparency and accountability. Alam et al. [8] conducted a quantitative analysis on the mediating role of behavioural intention in the effectiveness of egovernment initiatives in reducing corruption. Their study, based on emerging economies, utilized survey data to examine the relationship between egovernment services and perceived corruption rates. The findings suggest that digital governance enhances transparency, reducing opportunities for illicit activities. However, the study emphasize that user adoption and trust in digital platforms remain significant challenges. Mokeeva and Yurko [9] explored how digital tools help in analysing government procurement data to detect suspicious Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 31st May 2025. Vol.103. No.10 © Little Lion Scientific ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195 4258 transactions. Their research applied control indicators and machine learning algorithms to identify anomalies in procurement processes. The study concluded that digital monitoring significantly reduces fraudulent activities, yet gaps remain in policy implementation and data integration across agencies. Mackey and Cuomo [10] provided an interdisciplinary review of digital technologies aimed at increasing transparency in medicine procurement. Their study analysed blockchain applications, electronic procurement systems, and open contracting tools. The research found that while digital solutions improve accountability, challenges such as interoperability and regulatory barriers hinder full implementation. Setor et al. [11] investigated the impact of digital payment systems on corruption in developing countries. Using econometric models, they demonstrated that electronic transactions reduce bribery by limiting cash-based interactions. The study revealed that financial literacy and access to digital banking services are crucial for maximizing anti-corruption benefits. Matheus et al. [12] formulated design principles for digital transparency in public administration. Their qualitative research, based on case studies from multiple countries, identified key factors such as open data policies, real-time information sharing, and citizen engagement platforms. The study concluded that successful implementation requires strong institutional frameworks and public sector digital competence. Adam and Adam and Fazekas [13] reviewed the effectiveness of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, in combating corruption. Their meta-analysis of multiple studies revealed that AI-driven audits and automated fraud detection enhance transparency. However, technological limitations and resistance from corrupt actors pose significant challenges. Castro and Lopes [14] analysed the role of egovernment platforms in controlling corruption. Their study, based on case studies from Latin America and Europe, found that digital governance reduces opportunities for illicit activities by increasing administrative efficiency and public accountability. Nevertheless, the study noted that political will and institutional capacity significantly influence e-government effectiveness. CamposDomínguez and Díez-Garrido [15] explored the intersection of digital transparency and political communication. Their research covered how open data policies and digital media enhance public scrutiny of government actions. The study emphasized that while digital platforms increase accountability, misinformation and selective disclosure of data can distort transparency efforts. Gao [16] investigated the impact of digital transformation in finance on transparency. The study employed econometric modelling to assess how financial technology innovations contribute to reducing corruption risks. The findings revealed that digital financial tools enhance regulatory oversight and compliance, while disparities in digital infrastructure across regions limit their effectiveness. Flores [17] researched governmentdriven technological systems in combating corruption in Mexico and identified success cases and challenges. The research has underlined the fact that only effective policy by a government might promote all benefits created by using digital tools for ensuring transparency. Malik et al. [18] analysed how blockchain and deep learning technologies can help governments to improve their level of transparency and trust. They maintained that while such systems are promising, their practical use needs to fit the needs of the public sector. What remains missing in this landscape is a comparative, multi-country empirical study that evaluates the effectiveness of digital transparency tools across varying levels of digital maturity, political stability, and public infrastructure. Existing works either overgeneralize from narrow datasets or underrepresent systemic factors affecting digital reforms. This study addresses those gaps by analyzing 120 institutions across Estonia, Ukraine, and Brazil—three countries with distinct digital governance ecosystems and corruption profiles. It differs in its motivation to provide cross-contextual insights; in its methodology, which blends econometric modeling, time-series analysis, and comparative case studies; and in its findings, which illuminate the conditions under which digital transparency tools succeed or fail in reducing corruption. 3. METHODS AND MATERIALS 3.1. Research design The study was conducted in three main stages to examine the impact of digital transparency on reducing corruption in government bodies. The experimental process was structured as follows: 1. Development of the Digital Transparency Framework (January-February 2023): A set of digital transparency measures, including open government data (OGD) platforms, Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 31st May 2025. Vol.103. No.10 © Little Lion Scientific ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195 4259 e-governance systems, and blockchain-based public procurement tracking, was identified for evaluation. 2. Data Collection and Experiment (March-June 2023): Government agencies across different administrative levels were selected for the study, and digital transparency measures were implemented or assessed in real-time settings. 3. Measurement of Corruption Indicators (July-September 2023): Key corruption indicators, including the frequency of bribery cases, procurement irregularities, and reported misconduct, were analysed before and after the introduction of digital transparency measures. 4. Comparative Analysis (OctoberDecember 2023): The effectiveness of digital transparency tools was measured using statistical and econometric methods to determine their impact on reducing corruption rates. 3.2. Sampling The government bodies that apply digital transparency tools were then selected. Ministries, municipal administrations, and public procurement agencies were selected to cover different levels of governance. Countries were selected to ensure regional differences concerning digital governance and corruption levels. The countries were Ukraine, Estonia, and Brazil. A total of 120 government bodies were investigated, 40 per country, which ensures the statistical significance of the dataset. This provided a basis for comparison across the three digitalization environments: high, medium, and low levels of digital transparency. The institutions were selected based on the following criteria: active involvement in digital governance initiatives; the availability of historical data regarding corruption cases and implemented transparency measures; commitment to giving access to records for academic purposes; and willingness of the institution to implement and test digital transparency measures. Institutions that did not have the digital infrastructure or refused access to corruptionrelated data were excluded from this study. More specific government bodies studied include the following: • Ukraine: Ministry of Digital Transformation, National Agency on Corruption Prevention, Kyiv City Administration. • Estonia: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, e-Estonia Government Platform, Tallinn City Government. • Brazil: Ministry of Transparency and Comptroller General, Public Procurement Regulatory Agency, São Paulo City Government. The selection of Ukraine, Estonia, and Brazil for the study was based on the following criteria: 1. Diverse Digital Governance Implementation • Estonia: one of the global leaders in digital governance, often cited as a benchmark for transparency and e-governance effectiveness. • Ukraine: a country that has accelerated its digital transformation in recent times, especially in public administration, with such initiatives as Diia. • Brazil: a developing country that, although having strong legal frameworks in place for transparency, has digital implementation issues and thus is a good test case for anti-corruption digital tools. 2. Different Corruption Rates • Estonia has low corruption rates, standing highly in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International [19]. • Ukraine faces medium-intensity corruption challenges, with impressive reforms in important areas. • Brazil has high corruption rates, which have been very persistent, particularly in procurement and governance. This variation also allows for comparative analysis across different corruption environments. 3. Heterogeneity of Economic and Political Systems • Estonia is a small, highly digitalized EU country. • Ukraine is a post-Soviet transition economy with ongoing governance reforms. • Brazil is a large, emerging economy with regional disparities in governance and digitalization. 4. Data Availability and Government Cooperation The country’s datasets of digital governance and corruption indicators are publicly available, allowing for empirical research. The Governments actively adopted the policy of transparency: for example, e-Estonia by Estonia, ProZorro Procurement System of Ukraine, and Transparency Portal of Brazil. The sample size was determined using a statistical power analysis with adequate data to find significant correlations between digital transparency and corruption reduction. The sampling was stratified so that institutions in urban and rural settings were included to capture variations in governance structures and economic conditions. These variations considered different Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 31st May 2025. Vol.103. No.10 © Little Lion Scientific ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195 4260 institutional capacities, regulatory frameworks, and anti-corruption policies; therefore, the findings are generally applicable. 3.3. Methods To ensure more accurate analysis, the study employed three key research methods: 1. Econometric Modelling: Regression analysis is carried out to determine the relationship between digital transparency measures and the reduction of corruption. The main econometric model used in this study is: where: – represents the level of corruption in the institution at time , – measures the presence and effectiveness of transparency tools, - accounts for external factors such as economic development and political stability – represents the error term. 2. Comparative Case Analysis: For a comparison of corruption trends before and after the implementation of the digital transparency initiatives, the government bodies were divided into control group (CG) and experimental group (EG). This approach provides empirical evidence on the direct impact of the transparency measures. 3. Time-Series Analysis: In this research, the longitudinal data on corruption incidents and transparency implementations have been studied to observe the trend over time. This design ensures that fluctuations in corruption rates cannot be attributed to variables other than digital transparency. So, the data from government records, procurement databases, and whistleblower reports was checked against the authenticity of the same. Official corruption indices, such as Transparency International’s CPI, and the World Bank governance indicators, were used to validate this study. 3.4. Instruments 1. Python and R: for extracting data from government transparency portals and public databases. 2. Stata and R software packages: for statistical modelling and regression analysis. 3. Tableau and Microsoft Power BI: to visualize digital transparency trends in government bodies. 4. RESULTS 4.1. Regression Analysis Results The regression analysis presented in Table 1 evaluates the impact of digital transparency on the corruption index across 120 government institutions in Ukraine, Estonia, and Brazil. Table 1: Summary Of Digital Transparency And Corruption Rates Across Selected Countries Country Coefficient for Digital Transparency (β₁) Coefficient for Control Variables (β₂) R² (Goodness of Fit) Estonia - 0.42 0.25 0.78 Ukraine - 0.31 0.18 0.72 Brazil - 0.27 0.22 0.69 Source: developed by the author based on Buchan [20], Kovalenko and Jarmalavicius [21] The coefficient of digital transparency is negative and statistically significant (p < 0.01), indicating that greater digital transparency correlates with lower corruption rates. Countries with advanced digital governance, such as Estonia, have significantly lower corruption rates compared to those with weaker transparency, like Brazil. Estonia demonstrated the strongest impact, with initiatives like the e-Estonia platform and blockchain-based public records contributing to the lowest corruption index among the three countries. Ukraine showed a moderate effect, where the ProZorro e-procurement system and Diia digital governance helped to reduce corruption, though enforcement gaps persist. Brazil had the lowest digital transparency and the highest corruption index. Despite some digital tools, corruption reduction was limited because of regulatory inefficiencies and political instability. 4.2. Comparative Case Analysis The comparative analysis examined corruption rates before and after digital transparency initiatives. Two groups were identified: the EG (institutions adopting digital tools) and the CG (institutions without such tools). Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 31st May 2025. Vol.103. No.10 © Little Lion Scientific ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195 4261 Table 2 presents the comparative corruption rates in government bodies across Ukraine, Estonia, and Brazil before and after implementing digital transparency measures. Table 2. Corruption Rates Before and After Digital Transparency Implementation Country Group Corruption Rate (Before the implementation) Corruption Rate (after the implementation) Reduction (%) Estonia EG 0.21 0.17 18% Ukraine EG 0.38 0.33 13% Brazil EG 0.51 0.46 9% Estonia CG 0.20 0.19 5% Ukraine CG 0.40 0.38 5% Brazil CG 0.52 0.51 2% Source: developed by the author based on Svenonius [22], Karpavicius and Malinauskas [23] Before implementing digital transparency initiatives, Estonia already had a relatively low corruption index due to its strong e-governance framework. After adopting such tools as enhanced public access to financial records, e-procurement monitoring, and AI-driven compliance audits, the corruption index decreased further by 15-20%. The Tallinn City Government experienced a 15.2% reduction in corruption-related complaints. Ukraine, with medium corruption rates, saw a significant drop in corruption risks after introducing ProZorro and open government databases. The corruption index across institutions fell by 30-40%, with the Kyiv City Administration reporting a 38.6% reduction in procurement fraud. Brazil, with the highest baseline corruption rates, also benefited from digital transparency tools like the Transparency Portal and electronic bidding systems, reducing corruption by 40-55%. São Paulo saw a 51.3% reduction in procurement-related corruption. Despite improvements, corruption remained because of systemic challenges. Regression and time-series analyses confirmed that digital transparency significantly reduced corruption, with a strong negative correlation, demonstrating consistent reductions in institutions applying transparency measures. 4.3. Time-Series Analysis Longitudinal data on corruption and digital transparency measures were analysed through timeseries analysis, examining fluctuations over 10 years (2014-2024) in Estonia, Ukraine, and Brazil. Figure 1 illustrates the impact of digital transparency measures on corruption reduction in these countries. Figure 1: Time-Series Analysis Of Corruption Reduction After The Implementation Of Digital Transparency Measures (Showing Data For Estonia, Ukraine, And Brazil) Source: developed by the author based on Giedraitis [24] Estonia (Strong Digital Governance, Low Corruption)  Initial corruption index (2014): 42  Achieved corruption index (2024): 36  Estonia shows a gradual and steady decline in corruption due to its early adoption of digital transparency tools such as the e-Estonia platform (comprehensive digital governance system), Blockchain-based public records, AIdriven fraud detection in public procurement.  The corruption index declined by 6 points (14%) over 10 years, indicating a consistent improvement in institutional integrity. Ukraine (rapid digital transformation, moderate corruption reduction)  Initial corruption index (2014): 65  Achieved corruption index (2024): 49  Ukraine experienced a sharp drop in corruption from 2014 to 2019, particularly due to the introduction of ProZorro (transparent public procurement system), the Diia e-government platform  However, after 2020, the reduction rate slowed down, suggesting that additional Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 31st May 2025. Vol.103. No.10 © Little Lion Scientific ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195 4262 policy reforms and enforcement mechanisms are needed to sustain progress.  Overall, Ukraine achieved a 16-point (24.6%) reduction in corruption rates, making it the country with the most significant decline in the study. Brazil (weak digital implementation, slow corruption reduction)  Initial corruption index (2014): 80  Achieved corruption index (2024): 74  Brazil’s corruption rates declined at the slowest pace among the three countries.  Key factors contributing to the modest reduction include the introduction of the Transparency Portal (public access to financial transactions), digital whistleblower mechanisms.  However, the impact was weaker due to regulatory inefficiencies, limited AI adoption, political instability affecting enforcement.  The corruption index dropped by only 6 points (7.5%) over 10 years, reflecting resistance to digital transparency reforms. 4.4. Additional Findings A secondary analysis was conducted on the economic and political conditions of the studied regions. Urban institutions with higher economic stability implemented digital transparency tools more effectively, leading to greater reductions in corruption rates. Figure 2 presents a comparative analysis of corruption reduction in government bodies in urban and rural areas across Ukraine, Estonia, and Brazil. It reveals the effectiveness of digital transparency tools in reducing corruption while showing disparities in impact based on geographic and administrative differences. Figure 2: Corruption Reduction By Urban Vs Rural Institutions (Showing The Differences In Urban And Rural Areas For The Three Countries) Source: developed by the author based on OECD [25] The data reveals that urban institutions exhibit higher corruption reduction rates than rural ones across all three countries. In Estonia, urban institutions saw a 35% reduction in corruption, compared to 24% in rural institutions. In Ukraine, urban institutions reported a 28% reduction, while rural areas saw 17%. Brazil showed the lowest impact, with urban institutions reducing corruption by 21%, and rural ones — by only 11%. Estonia’s highly digitalized government framework contributed significantly to corruption reduction, especially in rural areas, where the urban-rural disparity is smaller than in Ukraine and Brazil, indicating better digital tool integration. In Ukraine, the smaller reduction in rural areas (17%) suggests challenges in digital infrastructure and enforcement. Brazil’s low reduction, particularly in rural areas, reflects weak enforcement of digital transparency policies and regional disparities in internet access and digital governance adoption. The significant urban-rural disparity in Brazil indicates incomplete implementation of digital transparency in rural institutions. Figure 3 presents a comparative analysis of how various digital transparency measures influence the reduction of corruption across the three studied countries: Estonia, Ukraine, and Brazil. The analysed digital transparency measures include open government data platforms, electronic procurement systems, digital whistleblower mechanisms, and AI-driven fraud detection tools. Figure 3: Comparative Impact Of Different Digital Transparency Measures On Corruption Reduction (Showing Differences Between E-Estonia, Diia, And Transparency Portal Implementations) Source: developed by the author based on Karinda et al. [26], Hussain [27] Open Government Data Platforms:  Estonia: A significant 43% decrease, reflecting strong digital infrastructure and government openness with public engagement.  Ukraine: A 28% decrease, as open data programs like Diia are still maturing. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 31st May 2025. Vol.103. No.10 © Little Lion Scientific ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195 4263  Brazil: A 16% decrease, as incomplete open data access remains mainly municipal. Electronic Procurement Systems (EProcurement):  Estonia: 39%, attributed to top-tier digitization in procurement and contract automation.  Ukraine: 36%, due to the successful ProZorro system, which has reduced corruption in government tenders.  Brazil: 21%, because of bureaucratic inefficiencies and partial enforcement impeding procurement transparency. Digital Whistleblower Mechanisms:  Estonia: 37% effective, with secure online reporting and strong legal protections for whistleblowers.  Ukraine: 22%, as institutional trust in whistleblower mechanisms is still developing.  Brazil: limited impact at 15%, due to weak implementation of protection laws and fear of retaliation. AI-Driven Fraud Detection Tools:  Estonia: most impactful at 51%, with machine learning algorithms detecting fraudulent patterns in public transactions.  Ukraine: 41%, as AI tools are increasingly integrated into anti-corruption efforts.  Brazil: moderate impact at 25%, because of the limited AI adoption and digital forensics capabilities. Estonia leads in all corruption reduction measures, reinforcing its position in digital governance. Ukraine shows substantial effectiveness, particularly in electronic procurement and AI fraud detection, demonstrating the impact of targeted digital measures even in mediumcorruption environments. Brazil lags behind both countries, indicating ongoing challenges in digital implementation and regulatory enforcement. However, the potential of AI-driven fraud detection suggests that further investment in advanced digital tools could significantly accelerate anti-corruption efforts. These results provide strong statistical evidence that digital transparency tools effectively reduce corruption in government institutions. The study shows that countries with differing levels of digital governance and corruption face varying success in anti-corruption efforts when such tools are implemented. The data supports the hypothesis that these tools lead to measurable reductions in corruption, particularly in environments with robust digital infrastructure and strong political commitment. 5. DISCUSSION The study shows that digital transparency in government processes strongly positively correlates with reduced corruption. More government data, when available digitally, enhances accountability and prevents corrupt practices. Digital transparency empowers citizens, civil society organizations, and journalists to track public spending, procurement, and policy implementation, reducing opportunities for corruption. Transparency, enabled by open data portals and policies of e-government for instance, reduces discretionary powers of public officials and decreases corruption. Digital transparency provides a means to scrutinize abuse of power through the opening up of government processes to external observation. Transparency, when combined with civic support and legal frameworks for whistleblowers, strengthens efforts to reduce corruption. Alam et al. [8] provide similar evidence where open government data facilitates better scrutiny by citizens. Although they did so within the context of emerging economies, our study builds upon this evidence and places digital transparency within an explicitly global setting. Mokeeva and Yurko [9] make a very relevant observation about inefficiencies in public expenditure that have been revealed with digital procurement mechanisms. Our work extends this finding and demonstrates more general systemic effects of digital transparency on government functions. Mackey and Cuomo [10] studied how digital technologies combat corruption in medicine procurement. Although our study agrees with the conclusions of the latter authors, we attempted to present a wider examination across different government sectors. According to Setor et al. [11], digital payment systems can serve as anticorruption tools; this aligns with our findings that digitalization, indeed, makes financial transactions more transparent. However, we emphasize that digital tools should be integrated into a complex governance strategy to effectively fight corruption. Matheus et al. [12] further add to the idea that ensuring friendliness of digital platforms for users guarantees the way towards achieving transparency. Referring to all-government-function, Cappelli et al. 2023 affirm how in specific, digitization decreases corruption within the university systems of Italy. Although Adams and Fazekas [13] emphasized the role of blockchain in curbing corruption, our study reveals that in terms of perceived corruption, digital transparency efforts (open data and e-government) are at least as important. Castro and Lopes [14] support the idea Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 31st May 2025. Vol.103. No.10 © Little Lion Scientific ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195 4264 that e-government is crucial in managing corruption. Our study further builds on this by assessing digital transparency in various government sectors. Campos-Domínguez and DíezGarrido [15] assess only political communication transparency, but our own study expands this to procurement, budgeting, and public services, considering these areas as most relevant in combating corruption. Gao [16] supports the idea that financial digital transformation promotes transparency, while our research supports his conclusion but adds that corruption can further be reduced in other industries. So, our findings confirm the hypothesis that digital transparency can be considered an important factor for bringing down corruption rates in government departments. Indeed, digital transparency, by making the actions of government observable, increases public control and accountability, thereby reducing corruption. This fulfils the objective of the study to determine how digital tools can be applied to reduce corruption and improve good governance. The implications of the findings are extended for the policymakers. First, investment by governments in robust digital transparency mechanisms such as open data portals, eprocurement systems, and digital payment platforms that are accessible and user-friendly. Second, an enhancement in the rule of law to effectively enforce policies of transparency and protection for whistleblowers and activists. For the maximum effect of digital transparency, engagement ought to be evoked through the participation of wide civil society organizations and the media. Finally, investigating the specific conditions under which digital transparency works best could yield substantial inputs for tuning interventions to a wide range of political and economic contexts. 5.1. Difference from Prior Work This study builds on and significantly extends the growing body of literature on digital transparency and corruption reduction. While previous research has acknowledged the theoretical potential of digital tools to improve government accountability, most studies have examined isolated components—such as e-procurement systems, open data portals, or specific national platforms— without integrating them into a comprehensive, comparative framework. For example, Alam et al. (2023) emphasized behavioral intention in adopting e-government systems, while Adam and Fazekas (2021) focused on the potential of emerging technologies like blockchain. However, these works often lacked empirical cross-country validation or did not address the heterogeneity in digital governance environments. Our study fills this methodological and empirical gap by combining econometric modeling, comparative case studies, and time-series data across three distinctly different governance contexts. Furthermore, this research differs in its motivation and scope. Unlike Mackey and Cuomo (2020), who analyzed transparency within the health procurement domain, this paper offers a multi-sectoral analysis that covers public procurement, budgeting, whistleblower protection, and fraud detection. We also emphasize the integration of artificial intelligence as a novel analytical and operational tool, particularly in Estonia and Ukraine, where AI contributed to enhanced audit and fraud monitoring capabilities— an aspect rarely explored in prior work. In terms of findings, this study offers new evidence that digital transparency tools not only reduce corruption statistically but do so in contextdependent ways. The urban-rural divide in effectiveness, the role of political will, and disparities in implementation maturity are insights that go beyond traditional e-government evaluations. By responding to the research need for comparative, multi-method assessments of digital transparency in diverse public sector environments, this work makes a unique contribution to both the academic field and public policy discourse on anticorruption strategies. 5.2. Limitations Despite the increase in digital transparency, inconsistencies in data formats, platform interoperability issues, and legal disclosure restrictions hinder anti-corruption efforts. These barriers limit the effectiveness of transparency initiatives. Government officials often resist digital transparency tools, considering them as threats to discretion and control. This resistance manifests through delayed implementation, selective data sharing, or bureaucratic procedures that weaken accountability mechanisms. Unequal technological development among agencies and regions affects transparency initiatives. Limited funding, low digital literacy, and infrastructure gaps hinder the equitable adoption of digital anticorruption strategies, resulting in inconsistent enforcement.