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The Italian North–South Divide in Perceived Dishonesty: A Matter of Trust?

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe Attanasi

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Alessandro Bucciol

    (University of Verona)

  • Simona Cicognani

    (Leiden University)

  • Natalia Montinari

    (University of Bologna)

Abstract

We present novel data from a survey on the perception of dishonesty in Italy. We collected data at a mass-gathering music festival in Southern Italy, whose audience includes a relevant fraction of subjects residing in Northern Italy. The survey consists of questions on perceived dishonesty measured on an institutional, social, and everyday dimension. Using structural equation models, we estimate whether regional differences in the perception of dishonesty persist even when controlling for generalized trust and socio-demographic characteristics. From a sample of nearly 1000 individuals, we find that respondents residing in the North or abroad perceive a lower level of dishonesty in its institutional and everyday dimension than Southern respondents. Perceived dishonesty also correlates negatively with trust. Finally, we find suggestive evidence of an indirect channel going from the area of residence to perceived dishonesty through generalized trust as a mediator.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Attanasi & Alessandro Bucciol & Simona Cicognani & Natalia Montinari, 2024. "The Italian North–South Divide in Perceived Dishonesty: A Matter of Trust?," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 10(3), pages 1309-1337, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:italej:v:10:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s40797-023-00258-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s40797-023-00258-y
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    1. Antonio Accetturo & Giuseppe Albanese & Maria Paola & Roberto Torrini, 2024. "The North–South Gap: Economic Development and Public Intervention," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 10(3), pages 957-975, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dishonesty; North–South divide; Corruption; Generalized trust; Italy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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