Trust In Government Research Articles

The impact of performance information on citizen perceptions of school district efficiency, trust in government, and support for taxes

AbstractWe report the results of a random assignment experiment that examines the effect of revealing actual school district performance on three important outcomes: perceptions of efficiency, trust in government, and support for higher taxes for increased school spending. We randomly assign survey respondents to a control group or experimental condition that includes information about how their school district's test scores compare to their state average. Our study includes 2604 observations from an on‐line panel fielded in the United States from October through December, 2022 which allows us to precisely estimate the effect of performance information on outcomes. We find that providing high‐performance information has significant and substantial effects that improve efficiency perceptions, trust in the school district, and support for taxes.

Citizens’ Communication Styles in Written Public Encounters

Abstract Current studies of citizens’ coping behaviors in public encounters lack a direct examination of what citizens say and how they say it. Moreover, despite the ubiquity of citizens’ written communications with the state, such interactions are seldom studied. This article contributes a relational approach to studies of citizens’ coping behaviors by developing a taxonomy and detailed operationalization of citizens’ communication styles in written public encounters. This taxonomy is based on an abductive content analysis of over 1,000 citizen web contacts to an Israeli welfare agency, mostly during coronavirus disease 2019. We show that citizens’ written communications differ in their inclination to espouse demanding, pleading, civil, or neutral styles. Additionally, we tentatively show that citizens’ subjective experiences of administrative burdens and trust in government are correlated with the variation in their communication styles. The taxonomy, its operationalization, and preliminary findings open up new avenues for studying citizens’ coping behaviors in written encounters.

The double-edged effect of political trust on the COVID-19 pandemic: empirical evidence from China

ABSTRACT This study follows numerous academic discussions on how political trust helps mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Using two waves of pandemic data in China, we estimate whether the central and local political trust has double-edged effects on COVID-19 mitigation. The results show that localities with high political trust were associated with more COVID-19 cases in the first outbreak and long-run rebounds, but also demonstrate notable disparities in COVID-19 cases linked to hierarchical trust between central and local governments. Trust in both central and local government was independently linked to a higher number of COVID-19 cases. However, when considering the impacts of combinations of trust in central and local governments, trust in local government could potentially contribute to the containment of COVID-19. These results add to a growing literature that high political trust may not always be good and echo the well-established association between trust and health, particularly during a pandemic.

Ethical patient engagement in healthcare governance.

Health leaders are faced with a lack of public trust in healthcare governance. This waning trust relationship was further solidified through the pandemic. Improving the relationship between health organizations and the community/citizens/patient partners is a moral imperative of which ethical governance is a significant factor. This article will structure the ethical analysis of patient partners in governance through reviewing who we are, how we function, and what we do on governance boards. Taking an ethical approach will enable the promise of the value and impact of the patient partner to be actualized. Ethical governance that recognizes the significant contributions and value of engaged patient partners can be achieved and may be one of the significant levers required to transform healthcare.

Predicting vaccination hesitancy: The role of basic needs satisfaction and institutional trust

Autonomous motivation is considered a powerful driver of health behaviour, but less is known about the specific roles played by basic needs. Drawing on the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research examined basic needs as a motivational determinant of vaccination. We hypothesized that satisfaction of basic needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) has both a direct and an indirect effect (through trust in science and government) on vaccine hesitancy. Two studies (Study 1: N = 968 French and British; Study 2, pre-registered: N = 716 Americans) tested our hypotheses and compared vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals using multigroup structural equation models. We found positive direct (in both studies) and indirect (in Study 1) effects of autonomy satisfaction on vaccine acceptance. In contrast, competence satisfaction was directly and indirectly, via science mistrust, related to vaccine hesitancy, particularly among non-vaccinated people. Competence satisfaction also indirectly reduced the intention to vaccinate in both studies. We found no impact of relatedness. Complementing previous work on self-determination theory, our research demonstrates the importance of considering the distinct roles of basic needs. Moreover, we highlight that increasing autonomy and science trust may be an efficient strategy to improve vaccine acceptance and vaccination, even among reluctant individuals.

Associations between adverse childhood experiences and trust in health and other information from public services, professionals and wider sources: national cross sectional survey

IntroductionTrust in health and other systems can affect uptake of public health advice and engagement with health services. Individuals who had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more likely to experience...

Trust and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Dominican Republic: a national cross-sectional household survey, June–October 2021

ObjectiveThis study investigates the role of trust in shaping COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the Dominican Republic (DR) during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignCross-sectional household survey.SettingRandomly selected households across 134 clusters in the...

Local Governance Quality and Trust in Government: The Serial Mediation Effect of Perceived Social Fairness and Subjective Well-being

This study aims to investigate the relationship between citizens' trust in government (TiG) and the local governance quality (LGQ), considering the influence of perceived social fairness (PSF) and residents' subjective well-being (SWB) as intermediate factors. The study utilized data from the 2021 Chinese Social Survey (CSS) and employed structural equation modelling (SEM) for analysis. The results indicate that LGQ positively impacts TiG through PSF and SWB mediating factors. Specifically, as LGQ improves in China, residents experience increased social fairness, enhancing SWB and subsequently strengthening their TiG. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the TiG-LGQ relationship, offering practical insights for improving national leadership and governance by promoting social fairness, justice, and overall well-being.

Sovereign Wealth Fund Development in Indonesia: Lessons Learned from Norway and Singapore

<p>This study aimed to compare Sovereign Wealth Funds in Singapore, Norway, and Indonesia based on several categories: classification and objectives, nature, source of funds, management, implementation, funding policy, and regulatory framework. This study adopts the grounded theory approach for analysing and categorising the data. Earlier studies on SWF have been focused on the governance and operation of the SWF globally, with minimal attention paid to SWF in developing economies. The study shows that the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), as a newly established SWF, encountered several issues related to applying good corporate governance. Therefore, comparing the more established SWF in Singapore and Norway is deemed significant in gaining valuable insight into INA's future. This circumstance is aimed at preserving the Government's trust by adding positive value to INA's business management and ensuring sustainability. The result gives assurance to potential investors of INA that INA’s legal basis is still valid and enforceable. Furthermore, an expanded INA governance framework is proposed as a practical contribution based on the results of other SWFs in Norway and Singapore. This framework is adjusted to suit INA's context and main objectives, including funding policy, supervisory institution, and transparency and accountability of the investment activities.</p>

Analysis of Factors Affecting Accountability of Village Fund Management

The responsibility of the village government is to enforce accountability to the community. If there are irregularities in the management of village funds, the community's trust in the village government could decrease. The aim of this research is to examine the impact of various factors that influence the accountability of village fund management. The population in this study was from all villages in the districts of Skanto , Arso , Arso Barat, and Mannem. The sampling process uses purposive sampling, namely selecting village officials involved in managing village funds. This group consists of the village head, secretary and treasurer. Primary data collection was carried out through distributing questionnaires which were given directly to respondents. Multiple linear regression is a statistical tool used for data analysis. Next, the data is processed using SPSS 26.0 software. Based on research, the effectiveness of village officials and internal control systems is known to have a positive impact on the accountability of village fund management. In contrast, leadership and integrity systems do not appear to have a significant influence.

The Moderating Effect of Tax Knowledge on the Relationship between Tax Rates and Tax Compliance of MSMES in Nigeria

Findings from prior studies have confirmed the inconsistencies and weak relationship that exists between tax rates and tax compliance. This study, therefore, tested the strength of the relationship between tax rates and tax compliance of MSMEs by introducing tax knowledge as the moderating variable. From 500 questionnaires administered, 325 were collected and from data cleansing 304 respondents were tested. Stratified and proportional sampling techniques were used in selecting the samples. The study found that tax knowledge moderated the relationship that exists between the tax rates and tax compliance of MSMEs in Nigeria. Also, the study found that tax rates and tax knowledge have a significant effect on the tax compliance of MSMEs in Nigeria. Tax literacy is important in improving the basic tax education of the citizens and trust in government. The study, therefore, recommended that the government should include taxation in the curriculum of elementary classes in Nigeria.

The contribution of psychological factors on Jakarta’s communities disaster preparedness in facing the drowning threats

Background: The risk of flooding in Jakarta is continuously increased and predicted to be drowned in 2050. Unfortunately, citizens seem to have no feeling of uneasiness although their place is haunted by the drowning threats. Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of risk perception, self-efficacy, trust in government, and place attachment to disaster preparedness facing the threat of drowning.Methods: A cross sectional study with quantitative and non-experimental design was applied. 486 Jakarta’s citizens as the sample of the study by using quota sampling. Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) was executed to test the hypothesis.Results: Risk perception, self-efficacy, and trust in government were found significantly affected disaster preparedness with a total contribution of 24% (F=10.81, sig < 0.000) after being moderated by place attachment.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that place attachment was capable of modifying the role of risk perception, self-efficacy, and trust in government in predicting disaster preparedness. This finding implies the necessity of considering an individual's attachments toward their living place while intervening the disaster preparedness.

The unfolding of mosaic governance and trust in three municipalities in Denmark – a case study

This paper explores the role of trust in mosaic governance (MG) and is based on in-depth case studies in three municipalities with green volunteers and municipal planners in three municipalities in Denmark. MG refers to a normative governance design focused at stimulating the reflexive co-creation and management of natural areas. Results show that trust is crucial for successful collaboration between municipalities and green volunteers, and hence the unfolding of MG. Municipalities with higher levels of volunteer engagement report greater trust between volunteers and public officials. We show how different kinds of trust (institutional, procedural, rational, and affinitive) influence how collaborations are organized, and how the institutional context influences the possibilities for green volunteer engagement. Trust comes into play in different places and phases of MG and can be said to be the lubricant of MG.

Communicating particulate matter risk: the effects of empoweredness and trust in government information on protective behaviour

ABSTRACT In response to increasing concerns about the health risks associated with air pollution, air quality information and behavioural recommendations are more available to the public through risk communication. However, not all people are willing to change their behaviours; even when they do, the level of action varies. This study investigated how empoweredness (self-efficacy, individual response efficacy, collective response efficacy, hope, and values) and trust in government information affect the protective actions citizens take against particulate matter (PM) risk, by expanding on the extended parallel process model (EPPM). We analyzed the case of Seoul, South Korea, where nationwide environmental concern in regard to PM pollution recently led to intense policy measures and public communication efforts. To test our conceptual model, we conducted an online survey with 513 Seoul citizens on their perception of PM risk and their behaviour during high PM episodes. Our regression results revealed two key findings. First, perceived risk, self-efficacy, individual response efficacy, and trust in government information were positively associated with protective behaviours, supporting our hypotheses. Second and more importantly, trust in government information was found to be moderate the effects of self-efficacy, individual response efficacy, collective response efficacy, and hope on protective behaviour against PM pollution. This suggests trust can be a boundary condition that allows an individual’s empoweredness to be fully extended to behavioural change. Our study demonstrates the possibility of expanding EPPM applications in pro-environmental behaviour studies by adding new variables that can be factored into future risk communication. HIGHLIGHTS We explore the effects of empoweredness and trust in government information on protective behaviour against particulate matter in Korea. Empoweredness is measured by three types of efficacies, hope, and values. Survey responses are statistically analyzed to capture the associations between variables. Self-efficacy, values, and trust are positively associated with protective behaviour. Trust in government moderates some associations between empoweredness and protective action.

Vaccine Refusal and Hesitancy among Iranians Participated in the National COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Survey: A Qualitative Study.

Success in COVID-19 vaccination depends on understanding why people refuse or hesitate to take the vaccine. This study aims to explore vaccine refusal and hesitancy among Iranians who participated in the national COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy survey. A qualitative content analysis approach was used. Twenty-six participants were selected by purposive sampling. In-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted during the year 2022. A directed content analysis approach was used for analyzing the data by extracting the codes, subcategories, and categories. Four major categories and their respective subcategories related to refusal and/ or hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccination emerged: "lack of confidence" (distrust in policymakers and pharmaceutical companies, distrust in national media, belief in conspiracy theory, and lack of confidence in the vaccine's safety and effectiveness), "complacency" (Fatalism and philosophical beliefs, low perceived risk, and belief in the adequacy of the precautionary principles), "constrains" (personal and psychological barriers), and "coercion" (coercion by relatives and unsteady imposed mandatory vaccination by the government). Distrust, fatalism, low perceived risk, and overconfidence in traditional Persian medicine were important barriers to COVID-19 vaccine acceptability needing a variety of measures for improving COVID-19 vaccine uptake, including enhancing public trust in government and policymakers, clarifying vaccine safety and effectiveness, dealing with religious fatalism, and regulating anti-science messages on social media.

Socioeconomic determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the relative importance of the set of socioeconomic characteristics of population on collective decision on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. We apply cross-section OLS methods to the municipal-level non-survey data for 145 municipalities in Serbia, on the COVID-19 vaccination rate and socioeconomic characteristics of the population, to evaluate the determinants of cross-municipal variation in vaccine uptake decision. Using the estimated coefficients from the OLS regressions, we apply the standardized beta method to evaluate the relative importance of each factor. Vaccine acceptance in municipalities rises with the average level of education (especially in the female population), age and employment, while being negatively linked to religiosity of people and the proportion of rural population. We also find some evidence on the positive impact of the overall trust in government. Education level has the single largest impact, shaping around 37% of (explained) variation in the vaccination rate across municipalities, a rise in the proportion of people with higher degree by 1% being associated with increase in vaccination rate by 0.36%. Age of population explains 21%, urban-rural structure 13% and religiosity 11% of variation in vaccine acceptance, while employment status and trust in government each explain around 9% of variation in vaccine uptake across municipalities. Effective vaccination promotion strategy should be focused on younger, less-educated, unemployed cohorts, as well as on rural areas and should involve representatives of mainstream religions. Fostering education and strengthening trust in government are some of the key structural factors that may promote efficient collective behaviour in this respect.

Trust and State Effectiveness: The Political Economy of Compliance

Abstract This paper explores the link between trust in government, policymaking and compliance. It focuses on a specific channel whereby citizens who are convinced of the merits of a policy are more motivated to comply with it. This, in turn, reduces the government’s cost of implementing this policy and may also increase the set of feasible interventions. As a result, state effectiveness is greater when citizens trust their government. The paper discusses alternative approaches to modelling the origins of trust, especially the link to the design of political institutions. We then provide empirical evidence consistent with the model’s findings that compliance is increasing in government trust using the Integrated Values Survey and voluntary compliance during COVID-19 in the United Kingdom.

Sense of Place and Perceived Impacts in the Rural Industrialized Nexus: Insights for Sustainability Pathways

As representative of the water-energy-food nexus, fossil fuel development and industrial agriculture are rural industries that continue to expand and increasingly occur in the same areas. Being a top agricultural export county and the fossil fuel capital of California while ranking among the worst in the US for industrial pollution, Kern County is a poster child of rural nexus development and, thus, an essential place for initiating sustainability transitions. Such transitions rely on policy support and the adoption of methods by individuals and communities who may disagree with such changes. While sense of place and impact perceptions are recognized as playing critical roles in sustainability management, they have yet to be utilized in nexus research. A survey (N = 256) of the perceived impacts of nexus industries with place meaning and place attachment as possible drivers for perceptions was conducted in nexus industry pollution exposure risk zones. Factor analysis and bivariate correlations showed that place meaning and place attachment are drivers for perceptions while also being drivers for concern for changes in nexus industries. While perceptions of impacts indicated contested place meanings, participants strongly perceive the economy and environment as being in decline. To build support for sustainability policy, directing funds from Kern County’s renewable energy industry to local sectors of society, implementation of regenerative agriculture, cooperative management, and nurturing place meaning as aligned with nature’s restorative quality are important paths forward. These nexus management foci could strengthen place attachment, build trust in government, and repair environmental alienation.

Understanding how socioecological factors affect COVID-19 vaccine perceptions among adolescents: qualitative evidence from seven high-, middle- and low-income countries

Background The number of studies examining family, community, institutional and policy factors on COVID-19 vaccine perceptions is limited, with most concentrating on high-income countries and using predominantly quantitative methods. To address this gap, the goal of this manuscript is to qualitatively explore these factors and how they shape adolescents’ perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines across diverse contexts. Methods Focus group discussions were conducted among adolescent populations (13 - 18 years) across seven countries: Ghent, Belgium; Sao Paulo, Brazil, Shanghai; China, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); Semarang and Denpasar, Indonesia; Blantyre, Malawi and New Orleans, United States of America (USA). An inductive thematic analytical approach was used to understand the emerging themes across the different countries based on the study’s objectives. Results The study found that all influences were inter-connected and contributed towards vaccine perceptions among adolescents, which were largely positive except in the two African countries and to an extent in the USA. Family and community influences played a large role in vaccine perceptions, however, this differed by context. Our findings suggest adolescents’ perceptions about vaccines were more positive in countries with higher vaccination rates, i.e. China and Indonesia versus countries with lower vaccination rates i.e. Malawi and DRC. Vaccine mandates within schools, offices, and public places were also discussed with varying perceptions based on government trust. Conclusions Adolescents’ perceptions of the Covid-19 vaccine are based on a variety of elements, such as families, community, institutions, and policies. Prioritizing one or another path may not be sufficient to improve vaccine adherence during future pandemics, as we experienced with Covid-19. Strategies to make vaccine perceptions more positive among urban poor adolescents should address both family and community perceptions. However, policies and robust programs around immunization are still needed.

Trust as a catalyst: revealing the impact of government trust and professional trust on public health policy compliance during a pandemic.

Existing research has extensively explored the relationship between government trust and compliance behaviour, but significant controversies exist. Some studies suggest a strong positive correlation between the two. Other studies have found that government trust hinders compliance behaviour. However, during the pandemic, the effectiveness of public health policies largely depends on the public's compliance with these policies. To examine the aforementioned controversies, this study utilizes survey data on the Chinese population during the COVID-19 period to explore the relationship between compliance with public health policies and government trust. The study conducted a questionnaire survey of 1,395 individuals from 25 provinces in China from mid-November to mid-December 2022. Firstly, we categorized the public's compliance behaviour with public health policies based on the results of factor analysis. Subsequently, we examined the impact of government trust and professional trust on compliance behaviour with public health policies by constructing a structural equation model. Based on the results of factor analysis, we classified public adherence to public health policies into protective compliance and restrictive compliance. Results from the structural equation model show a positive correlation between the public's trust in the government and both protective and restrictive compliance, with a stronger influence on protective compliance. Government trust also exerts a positive impact on restrictive compliance behaviour through professional trust. Additionally, the study indicates a significant positive correlation between the public's professional trust and restrictive compliance, while it does not significantly affect protective compliance. Moreover, the public from rural areas demonstrates a greater willingness to adhere to both types of public health policies. Married individuals exhibit a stronger inclination toward protective compliance, while females show a stronger tendency toward restrictive compliance. The study revealed a significant positive impact of government trust and professional trust on compliance behaviour with public health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, refuting any negative correlation between government trust and compliance behaviour. Normative motivations for compliance behaviour had a substantial impact on adherence. These findings offer valuable insights for future public health crisis management and public policy formulation.