Tender rules are generally more elaborated for large infrastructure contracts compared to smaller ones. The paper argues, however, that there are particular opportunities to bypass or cheat on the tender rules for large and complex contracts. Based on a recent study of the experiences of Scandinavian firms in international markets, the paper finds that the larger the firms, (i) the better
... [Show full abstract] opportunity they have to influence the tender procedures; (ii) the more frequently they find tender-results to be predetermined; (iii) the lower their trust in the procurement procedures' capacity to prevent corruption; (iv) the more frequently they are asked for quid pro quos; and (v) the more frequently they find the outcome of tenders to be influenced by political pressure. The paper also examines the various political interests at stake in such contracts, political corruption included.