Although the theoretical literature often uses lobbying and corruption synonymously, the empirical literature … associates lobbying with the preferred mean for exerting influence in developed countries and corruption with the preferred one … suggest that (a) lobbying and corruption are fundamentally different, (b) political institutions play a major role in …

This paper argues that the effect of corruption on competition is dependent on the institutional environment. When … institutions are relatively efficient, observed corruption is likely to be associated with relatively less competition. Conversely …, in areas with low quality institutions (e.g., excessively burdensome regulations) corruption may lead to relatively more …