DIGITALISATION DEVELOPMENT AS AN ANTI-CORRUPTION TOOL FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

Modern society is increasingly faced with the need to improve the transparency and accountability of public authorities in order to combat corruption. In many countries, including Ukraine, corruption remains one of the biggest challenges in public administration, negatively affecting economic development, social justice and citizens' trust in the state. Traditional forms of interaction between citizens and public administration, which involve paper-based procedures and direct contact with officials, often create fertile ground for abuse and bribery. In the context of digitalisation and the growing role of information and communication technologies in all spheres of public life, electronic services (e-services) offer an alternative way for citizens, businesses and public authorities to interact. The use of e-services simplifies administrative procedures, reduces the subjective influence of the human factor and speeds up access to necessary information. All this, in turn, contributes to reducing corruption risks and increasing the effectiveness of management decisions. In Ukraine, the fight against corruption is one of the priorities of state policy, enshrined in strategic documents such as the Sustainable Development Strategy "Ukraine 2021-2025". The implementation of digital initiatives, such as the National Agency for Corruption Prevention's electronic declaration system or the ProZorro public procurement platform, demonstrates the potential of technology to reduce corruption risks. However, the digitisation process is accompanied by challenges, including limited technical infrastructure, low levels of digital literacy, and the need to adapt legislation to new realities. Research on this topic allows us not only to assess the current state of digitisation, but also to offer recommendations for its further development in the law enforcement sphere. The aim of the work is to summarise the main scientifically based approaches to defining digitalisation processes and their characteristics as an anti-corruption tool for public administration in modern conditions. The methodology of the article is structured in such a way as to allow for the study of the development of digitalisation as an anti-corruption tool in public administration, the identification of the essential features of digitalisation in the field of public administration, the limitations of digitalisation processes in public administration, digital tools in the fight against corruption, and the identification of directions for anti-corruption strategy in the promising conditions of European integration. The study was conducted based on the principles of dialectical logic. The multifaceted and multifactorial nature of the development of digitalisation as an anti-corruption tool and public administration necessitates the use of a systematic and situational approach to its study. The work also applied methods of systemic, logical, institutional analysis, and forecasting. The development of provisions and conclusions used the possibilities of comparative studies, rational choice theory, and neo-institutionalism. The study demonstrates that digital technologies, most notably electronic registries, big data analytics systems, blockchain solutions, video surveillance, and whistleblowing platforms, possess considerable potential in the prevention and combatting of corruption in law enforcement. The effectiveness of these reforms is clearly demonstrated by Ukrainian examples, such as the NACP electronic declaration system and the ProZorro public procurement platform. These tools help ensure transparency, automate management processes and minimise the human factor, which is particularly important in an area where significant discretionary powers create opportunities for abuse of authority. At the same time, the process of implementing digital solutions is accompanied by a number of challenges, including technical limitations, insufficient digital literacy among employees, gaps in legislation, and growing cyber threats. In the context of martial law and limited resources, these challenges are becoming even more relevant in Ukraine, necessitating a gradual, adaptive approach to the digitalisation of law enforcement. Further development prospects are linked to the following key areas: integration of interdepartmental digital platforms, strengthening cybersecurity, systematic training of specialists, and deepening international co-operation. The adaptation of best international practices, in particular the recommendations of the OECD and the European Commission, as well as the updating of national legislation to take into account innovative technologies, in particular artificial intelligence, play a special role in this process. Digitalisation, provided it is accompanied by appropriate regulatory, organisational and technical support, can become the basis for a systemic transformation of anti-corruption policy, strengthening trust in law enforcement agencies and establishing the principle of the rule of law. Achieving these goals requires coordinated efforts by the state, civil society and international partners, which will enable the full potential of digital tools in the field of law enforcement to be realised.