Trust and corruption in the Czech Republic: evidence from a new generation of managers

Transition in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) since 1989 has received much attention from various academic disciplines. However, the relationship between trust and corruption in the CEE context remains largely unaddressed. Therefore, we explore trust and corruption in the context of the Czech Republic via interviews with a group of new generation managers, who gained their business experience after the 1989 Velvet Revolution. We inquire about the nature of trust and corruption, and their relationship, in contemporary Czech society and business. The analysis highlights that the previously theorised dynamics between trust and corruption, often attributed to the low levels of social capital, may in fact be symptomatic of deeper issues. We find suspicion, pessimism, cynicism, and apathy, stemming from the country’s history, as the cause. However, hope is provided by the prospect of generational change and exposure to more transparent agents and environments in both societal and business terms.