These coefficients have been determined with the help of regression analysis for the biggest 87 import countries. Since other explanatory variables such as geographic proximity, common languages, sectoral differences, etc. are taken into account it is straightforward to address the results to a differentiated propensity of exporters to offer bribes and their capability to obtain contracts with the help of kickbacks. The countries show different inclinations to export into corrupt marketplaces. The significance of our results is fairly good. Comparing e.g. the United Kingdom to Malaysia this allows us to bet 20 odds to 1 that exporters from the UK are more inclined to pay bribes.
Similar comparisons prove e.g. that Germany is more likely to offer bribes than Sweden.
It has been about time to take a closer look at the responsibility of multinational companies and at the behaviour of whole countries engaging in exports. Dr Lambsdorff s study is the first serious academic effort to measure the inclination of leading exporters to bribe abroad. The results can appropriately be presented in the above diagram. We urge all who make use of our results to take this error into account. It indicates that the true value may indeed be higher or lower than the one we measured.