CIA Framework

Comparative Institutional Analysis (CIA) Framework

The Comparative Institutional Analysis (CIA) Framework compares the institutional environments of countries over time. It places each country on two axes, economic institutions (by default, Regulatory Quality from the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators) and political institutions (by default, the V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index), and combines them into a single CIA score. It is designed for students, managers, and analysts who need to compare institutional environments in global strategy and international business.

A research note about the Comparative Institutional Analysis (CIA) Framework explains the method and the data.

Suggested citation: Pongeluppe, L. S. (2026). "Comparative Institutional Analysis (CIA Framework)." The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.