Abstract
AbstractResearch on symbolic representation suggests that citizen–state interactions might benefit from public organizations' representativeness. Recent experiments on symbolic gender representation provide contradictory findings regarding the influence on citizens' co‐production intentions. This study conducts a wide replication based on new data to reexamine the positive impact of symbolic gender representation identified by Riccucci et al. (2016, Public Administration Review, 76(1), pp. 121–130). The applied survey experiment closely resembles the original design aspects. The experiment is set in criminal justice policy, a policy field featuring co‐production of core public services such as prisoner rehabilitation. The results do not confirm a positive effect of symbolic gender representation on willingness to co‐produce. Instead, several arguments point to citizens' perceptions of uncertainty related to the co‐production context and procedures as a boundary condition for the effects of symbolic gender representation.
Highlights
Public organizations are critical in a democracy as they often bridge the distance between political entities and the population
Previous research yields contradictory findings related to the hypothesized effects of symbolic gender representation
This replication study complements previous research addressing the effects of symbolic gender representation on willingness to co-produce
Summary
Public organizations are critical in a democracy as they often bridge the distance between political entities and the population. Empirical research involving a behavioral focus on citizens in the co-production domain did not confirm the hypothesized effects without exception (Meier & Nicholson-Crotty, 2006; Van Ryzin et al, 2017) In this regard, Riccucci et al (2016) applied an indicatory experimental study to the policy context of recycling. The main argument is that the symbolic meaning of salient passive representation of a public organization should positively affect citizen–state interactions, independent from public officials' actions (Nicholson-Crotty et al, 2016; Riccucci et al, 2014) This causal process includes changes in citizens' perceptions and behavior within public encounters. Representation might be more critical if participation in the agency is required compared to activities undertaken in the domestic environment
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