Contextual and individual characteristics effects on students’ corruption perception and behaviours in higher education

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the effects that the perceived corruption has on students’ behaviours. In more detail, the analysis will explain how the individual and contextual variables influence students’ behaviours and corruption perception. Design/methodology/approach – The authors employed a structured questionnaire administered to 200 Italian students attending Bachelor and Master Degrees courses, based on a theoretical background that considers corruption in higher education as the result of the interplay between the various actors and institutions in the field. Findings – Findings have both interesting academic and practical implications, since the study advances the literature on corruption in higher education and also advances a framework explaining how contextual and individual characteristics influence students’ behaviours and corruption perception. Originality/value – The study presents manifold interesting implications both for academics, practitioners and policy-makers on the impact that students’ corruption perception has on the whole higher education system.