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Research context

The amount of research literature and evidence available on the impact of transparency to support the detailed design of CoST was found to be limited. During the CoST pilot phase, some papers were therefore commissioned to support understanding of what works in transparency.  

World Bank Working Papers series

These papers were commissioned to support improved governance in construction projects and the rollout of the CoST initiative. The series comprises:

  • Executive summary: Offers an introduction and overview of the series of four papers.  
  • Working paper 1: Providing a foundation paper to better inform governments, stakeholders, and citizens about the linkages between poor governance, corruption, and transparency in the construction sector.
  • Working Paper 2: Guiding governments on the critical information on public construction projects to publish in order to increase transparency.
  • Working paper 3: Guiding governments and stakeholders on how to use independent oversight to increase transparency and value for money in public construction projects.
  • Working paper 4: Guiding those who plan and benefit from public construction projects on how to use community monitoring to increase transparency and value for money in public construction projects.

Case Study into the Philippines Anti-Corruption experience

The Philippines was one of the first countries to start piloting CoST, building on 19 years’ experience in fighting corruption in the sector. The CoST International Secretariat tendered a study into this long experience that preceded CoST. It is available here.

A second paper that documents the experience of the Philippines in implementing CoST can be found in the CoST Briefing Notes series.

Review of transparency in public contracting in Colombia

Colombia is not a CoST pilot country but this interesting note documents one country's attempts to stop corruption, the scandals that have broken out in recent months, and the corruption that can take place despite the efforts to stop it.. It is available to download here.

Publishing Construction Contracts and Outcome Details

This paper reviews the evidence from the construction and other sectors that improved transparency - especially when combined with oversight - can improve development outcomes through its impact on the quality of governance.  It was written by Charles Kenny of the World Bank and is available here.