Digital Transformation and Corruption Dynamics in Ghana's Retail Economy: An Economic Analysis of Technological Adoption and Ethical Business Practices

Aims: To investigate the interplay between digital transformation and corruption within Ghana's retail sector, focusing on the Ashanti Region. Study Design: Descriptive quantitative approach rooted in a positivist philosophy was used for the study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out between March 2023 and November 2023 at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Methodology: The research utilized convenience sampling to survey 35 retail establishments. Structured questionnaires, digital transformation extent, and corruption propensity assessments, were employed. The extent of digital transformation was categorized into four scales, reflecting various levels of technological adoption, utilizing the Stapel Scale. The propensity of corruption was calculated using an economic concept formula, unveiling a wide range of corruption likelihoods among retail shops. Ranking and percentile rank facilitated strategic prioritization for anti-corruption interventions, identifying high and low-propensity shops. The population consists of all retail shops in Ghana within the Ashanti Region. Convenience sampling, a non-probability technique based on availability or willingness to participate, was employed due to time constraints, sampling 35 retail shops from the region. Results: Correlation coefficients revealed a robust negative correlation (-0.780) between digital transformation and corruption propensity, indicating that increased technological adoption correlated with decreased likelihood of corrupt practices. Conclusion: The study's underscore the economic imperative of fostering digitalization to mitigate corruption risks, emphasizing the significance of technological advancements in shaping transparent and accountable retail operations in Ghana.