Anti-Corruption Strategies Amid Instability: A Case Study on Lebanon’s Exchange Dealer Sector

Corruption, often defined as the misuse of authority for personal or organizational gain, poses severe challenges for organizations worldwide, particularly in politically and economically unstable environments. In Lebanon, a nation grappling with systemic corruption, political fragmentation, and economic turmoil, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are especially vulnerable. This study examines Company X, a family-owned remittance service provider in Northern Lebanon, as a case study to explore how SMEs can combat corruption and enhance organizational resilience. Drawing on agency theory and agile organizational frameworks, the research develops and validates an anti-corruption framework anchored in ethical leadership, regulatory compliance, risk management, and employee engagement. The framework incorporates strategies of centralization, sanitization, synchronization, and vigilance, addressing governance gaps, building trust, and fostering collective accountability. Using qualitative and quantitative data, the study illustrates how entrepreneurial leadership and tailored anti-corruption measures can transform operational constraints into opportunities for ethical innovation. By aligning international standards with localized solutions, this research offers actionable insights for SMEs navigating high-risk environments, contributing to the broader discourse on anti-corruption practices and ethical organizational transformation.