Trust In Government Research Articles

Effect of Transparency Initiatives on Public Trust in Government in Kenya

Purpose: To aim of the study was to analyze the effect of transparency initiatives on public trust in government in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Transparency initiatives in Kenya have shown a positive impact on public trust in government. Efforts such as open access to government information, transparent budgeting processes, and public participation in decision-making have increased accountability and reduced corruption. These initiatives have led to greater citizen engagement and trust, as the public perceives the government to be more accountable and responsive to their needs. However, challenges remain in fully implementing these initiatives, and inconsistencies in transparency efforts can still undermine public trust. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social exchange theory, institutional theory & information processing theory may be used to anchor future studies on the effect of transparency initiatives on public trust in government in Kenya. Continuously improve online transparency portals by enhancing user interfaces, ensuring data accuracy, and expanding the scope of information available. Develop sector-specific transparency policies tailored to the unique needs of different governmental sectors (e.g., healthcare, education). This approach ensures that transparency initiatives address sector-specific challenges and enhance sector-specific public trust. Invest in training programs for public officials on transparency practices and the effective use of transparency tools.

Influence and mechanisms of perceived information disclosure in shaping public attitudes towards waste disposal facilities: Evidence from China

Waste disposal facilities are an indispensable infrastructure for modern urban development, and increasing public acceptance of such facilities contributes to sustainable urban development. Estimation results using the least squares method, based on widely representative questionnaire data, indicate that perception of government information disclosure has a significant positive impact on enhancing the public’s willingness to accept waste disposal facilities. This finding is further confirmed not only when using instrumental variables approach to address potential endogeneity as well, but also by a series of robustness tests. The results of the heterogeneity analyses show that the positive impact of government information disclosure is present only in the sub-sample of those who have no religious trust and frequency of online socialization. Further findings support the idea that political trust and the perception of the government capacity to ensure public security are two fundamental mechanisms. In particular, trust in county government and perceptions of medical security are more likely to drive this positive effect. This study reveals the role of perceptions about information disclosure in shaping public attitudes toward public programs and provides new insights into facilitating the successful construction of public facilities.

Impediments to Effective Leadership in Public Service: A Case of Administrative and Political Challenges in County Governments in Kenya

This study addresses the substantial challenges facing leadership effectiveness in Kenya's county governments, focusing on bureaucratic inertia, political interference, resource limitations, and issues with meritocratic appointments that undermine governance and public trust. The research aimed to comprehensively analyze these barriers and propose actionable strategies for improvement. What are the primary administrative impediments to effective leadership in public service within county governments in Kenya? How do political dynamics influence leadership effectiveness in the public service sector at the county level? And what strategies can be implemented to overcome these impediments and enhance leadership effectiveness in county governments? The research questions were: Grounded in theories of transformational and transactional leadership the study explores the contrast between these leadership styles in overcoming the identified challenges. The study employs a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative data from interviews and case studies, alongside quantitative insights gathered through surveys of county officials, public servants, and community leaders, provide a holistic perspective. Purposive sampling ensured diverse participant viewpoints were captured because it allows for targeted sampling. Key findings using Likert scale of 1-5 underscore significant impediments to effective leadership: bureaucratic inertia (rated 4.0), political interference (3.9), resource constraints (3.8), insufficient training (3.7), and political appointments lacking meritocracy (4.2), corruption (4.1), fraudulent academic credentials (3.5), patronage (3.8), and tribalism (3.7). These findings reveal systemic challenges that hinder leadership effectiveness and governance outcomes. In conclusion, entrenched bureaucratic practices, external political pressures, and systemic flaws in leadership appointments hinder effective governance in Kenyan county governments. Addressing these issues necessitates comprehensive reforms, including transparent appointment processes, strengthened anti-corruption measures, strategic resource allocation, and enhanced professional development for public service leaders. From the findings the study recommends implementing transparent and merit-based appointment systems, bolstering anti-corruption efforts, prioritizing targeted resource allocation, and investing in continuous leadership development programs. These measures are crucial for fostering transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in Kenya's county governments

Social Capital and Economic Development in a Large and Multi-Ethnic Developing Country: Evidence from Indonesia

The role of social capital in economic development has been a subject of interest to both academics and practitioners of development for several decades. However, empirical evidence on social capital in the context of developing countries is still relatively scant. This study explores the effects of social capital on economic development in Indonesia, a large and multi-ethnic developing country. Using district-level data for 2006–2019, we find that the relationships between social capital and economic development are complex. There are both favorable and unfavorable effects of social capital on economic development, as well as nonlinear effects. Hence, we cannot draw unequivocal conclusions on the benefits or disadvantages of social capital for economic development. Nevertheless, this study finds that trust among people across different ethnic groups, participation in communal works and social activities, and trust in government are the most important forms of social capital needed to improve people’s welfare.

The Role of A'bulosibatang Local Culture and its Relationship with Taxpayer Compliance in Gowa Regency

This research was conducted aims to determine the effect of a'bulosibatang on taxpayer compliance. Qualitative research type, which is a way used to answer research problems related to data in the form of narratives This research is a descriptive qualitative research using interviews as a research instrument. The informants are the people of Gowa who have become active taxpayers and are registered at the KP2KP Gowa Testing is done by triangulation (data coding, data reduction and conclusion drawing). The results showed that efforts to efforts to increase public trust in accountability and transparency government must continue to be encouraged. WPOP compliance in gowa Regency especially in limbung shows compliance in paying taxes, where cultural values such as cultural values such as Mutual Assistance, cooperation play a key role in the implementation of tax obligations. implementation of tax obligations. As for the implications of this research, it is in terms of formulating policies and regulations relating to existing taxation and increasing public confidence in the government's financial regulations especially for the tax funds collected. so that tax awareness and tax compliance becomes a joint responsibility as long as the government also contributes in terms of accountable and prosperous policies and management.

Good Corporate Governance and Nahdliyah Religious Value for Strengthening Zakat Payer Trust: Case Study of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Community in Indonesia

The research explores factors influencing Zakat payers' trust in Good Corporate Governance (GCG) principles, specifically the Nahdliyah religious value (NRV) derived from some theories and concepts aiming to address research gaps in Zakat. This research used quantitative methods involving 750 respondents Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) administrators as Zakat payers throughout Indonesia consisting of 552 districts. NU, the largest community in Indonesia, faces low Zakat capability. This research proposes a new concept, combining Social Identity Theory, Resource Advantage Theory, and the origin of NU values, 'Mabaadi Khaira Ummah', to revive the principles towards the best generation and build NRV as novelty. This research identifies four variables that influence the trust of Zakat payers: NRV, GCG elements (accountability - AC, transparency- TR, and credibility - CR). The findings show that AC and TR do not have a real impact to ZPT as they are only significant at the 10% level, but not significant at the 5% level. CR does not affect ZPT. However, the three variables (AC, TR, and CR) affect ZPT if mediated by NRV, which has significant effect on ZPT. Additionally, the results indicate that NRV acts as full mediation, meaning AC, TR, and CR affect ZPT only through NRV. The new concept of NRV is powerful, fills the theoretical gap and offers a new perspective on religious values in the theory of resource superiority and social identity theory as applied in certain religious fields such as Zakat, as an obligation in Islam. NRV addresses relationships between variables and contributes to the development of trust in Zakat. In addition, NRV can be used to trigger the NU community to increase the volume of Zakat.

Cultivating Political Efficacy: Facilitation as a Catalyst for Democratic Education and Civic Competence

ABSTRACT Participation in democratic processes is a cornerstone for good governance and societal trust. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and academic literature emphasize enhancing civic engagement to foster democracy, shape policies, and build societal trust. Within this context, the concept of facilitation gains prominence as a vital mechanism that enhances participatory inclusivity and better decision-making through capacity-building. However, the current scope of facilitation is limited, mainly emphasizing its role as a skill for democratic engagement but neglecting its capacity to confront declining political efficacy. To address this oversight, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of facilitation in the context of democratic participation and political efficacy. Conducting a systematized review of 54 publications, the paper contributes significantly to the largely underexplored domain of facilitation theory. The study's findings offer a nuanced understanding of facilitation's role in democratic engagement. Far from just serving as a tool for managing interpersonal relations, the data demonstrate that facilitation is primarily employed to navigate process conflicts concerning agency, power, and responsibility. Furthermore, the data highlights a significant link between facilitation practice and increased internal and external political efficacy. These insights position facilitation as a crucial catalyst for democratic education, playing a key role in fostering a more engaged and resilient democratic society.

The effects of weather factors on road traffic casualties: Analysis on provincial panel data of China from 2006 to 2021

IntroductionRoad traffic injuries stands as a major concern globally, as they result in significant loss of life, economic impact, and erode trust in government and societal safety. The influence of weather on road traffic safety is undeniable, impacting road conditions, individuals, and vehicles. However, the specific influence of weather on road traffic casualties has seldom been explored. MethodThis study assesses the effect of weather factors on road traffic casualties in China from 2006 to 2021. Vector error correction models (VECM) were utilized to determine the Granger causality between weather factors and covariates. Furthermore, panel autoregressive distribution lag models (ARDL) were applied to quantify the association between weather factors and road traffic casualties. ResultsThe findings indicate that rainfall and temperature exert a short-term negative impact on casualty risk, which intriguingly becomes positive in the long term. A standout discovery is the significant role of health investments, which are shown to reduce casualty numbers in both the short and long-terms. In the long run, the gross domestic product significantly enhances casualties, while expressway mileage notably decreases them. ConclusionsThese results demonstrate the significant influence of weather on road traffic casualties and highlight the critical roles played by factors such as gross domestic product, health investment, and expressway mileage. The evidence presented in the study underscores the urgent need for more effective strategies to mitigate road traffic casualties. Thus, some effective measures are proposed to reduce road traffic casualties. This study is conducive to the improvement of traffic in severe weather in China and provides guidance for traffic management departments.

Transparency of Regional Budget and Expenditure (APBD) through the Optimization of E-Budgeting Implementation

The implementation of budgetary reform in local government budgeting is often viewed as lacking a structured system. This is marked by low transparency and accountability in the management of local budgets. Financial management systems that contradict the principles of good governance necessitate transparency and accountability in all areas of government. The advent of e-budgeting is evidence of the utilization of e-government programs in Indonesia. E-budgeting is expected to be a solution for enhancing transparency and accountability in local budget management. With e-budgeting, the public can more easily access information about budget allocations and their usage. Public participation is also anticipated to increase, allowing for more effective oversight of local government budgets. This transparency not only supports the improvement of financial management at the local level but also contributes to the enhancement of public service quality. Therefore, the implementation of e-budgeting is expected to strengthen good governance and increase public trust in local governments. Active public participation and high transparency are key to realizing a more efficient and accountable local budget management system.

Impact of air pollution perception on environmental governance satisfaction

This study critically examines the factors influencing satisfaction with environmental governance in China, focusing on air pollution perception, environmental tax, and government trust within the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework. Utilizing data from Chinese societal surveys, the research investigates the impact of air pollution perception on environmental governance satisfaction, as well as how this relationship is mediated by environmental tax and moderated by government trust. The findings reveal a strong inverse correlation between air pollution perception and satisfaction with environmental governance, highlighting the direct impact of environmental challenges on ESG outcomes. The relationship is nuanced by regional and demographic variations, highlighting the diverse impact of air pollution perception across different segments of society. The study also reveals the pivotal role of environmental tax in mediating this relationship, suggesting that tax policies can effectively enhance ESG strategies. Additionally, government trust is identified as a key moderating factor, underscoring the importance of trust in governance for the effectiveness of ESG practices. This research contributes to the broader field of air pollution perception and environmental governance, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay between public perception, tax policy, and trust in government. It offers practical implications for policymakers seeking to use taxation and trust-building measures to mitigate pollution and improve public satisfaction with environmental governance within the ESG ambit.

Is Trust in Local Government Influenced by the “Marketplace” of Choice?

AbstractGovernments are subjected to many sources of competition that can be productive or destructive to their ability to maintain citizen trust. This paper explores the role of competition in the local government marketplace as a determinant of trust in local government. Using individual respondent data from the Gallup Poll Social Series in the United States from 2001 to 2022, this paper explores the effect of policy space autonomy and availability of choice in government on trust in local government. We find evidence of productive competition increasing with the number of local governments in the respondent's labor market. Similarly, states that restrict the diversity of choice through tax and expenditure limits reduce productive competition, while limits on issuing debt enhance local trust. The results are supported by numerous robustness checks and a placebo test on trust in the federal government.

Public trust and support for government technology: Survey insights about Singapore's smart city policies

The smart city concept is an increasingly popular urban policy framework, and recent advances in technologies like artificial intelligence are poised to shape this trend in unprecedented ways. As public sector investment in technology accelerates, it is prudent to consider how smart cities shape and are shaped by public trust in government – an issue about which there is a growing body of research but lingering questions. This study investigates determinants of public trust in government technology, including public awareness, government communication, personal ideals and aspirations, and personal perceptions and expectations. Data come from a 2021 survey (N = 1500) about smart cities in Singapore, a country with high developmental ambitions and sufficient resources to pursue advanced smart city programs. This study seeks to deepen scholarly and practical understandings about the mutually necessary but often diverging forces of public trust in technology and public trust in government.

Landscape of Distrust: Political Trust Across America’s Urban-Rural Divide

Do rural Americans trust the government less than non-rural Americans? In an era of declining trust in government and mounting geographic polarization, this research examines the relationship between geography, identity, and attitudes of political trust in the United States. Using national survey data from the 2016 and 2020 American National Election Studies time series surveys, this quantitative analysis tests hypotheses that rurality in the context of place and place-based identity is associated with lower trust in the federal government. Overall, the results show that both living in and identifying with more rural areas corresponds with decreased government trust, regardless of the political party of the incumbent president. These findings contribute to the understanding of America’s urban-rural political divide and suggest significant implications for both partisan leaders and policymakers.

Confidence spillovers, financial contagion, and stagnation

Financial crises tend to spread across countries, causing equity price crashes that cannot be fully explained by fundamentals. This paper introduces a two-country dynamic general equilibrium model of global financial crises that distinguishes between interdependence and financial contagion. Interdependence arises through trade and capital flows, while contagion occurs through a new channel: confidence spillovers. In the model, contagion is possible due to multiple dynamic and steady-state equilibria, even with fully rational consumers. Self-fulfilling beliefs about equity prices can shift the economy between equilibria, amplifying negative effects and causing contagion. The model has three policy implications. Firstly, monetary policy can offset recessions without causing inflation. Coordinated international policy can potentially improve welfare further. Secondly, capital controls can prevent contagion. Lastly, increased trust in government can mitigate negative confidence shocks. These recommendations emphasize the role of beliefs, where pessimism can spread internationally via the confidence channel, leading to contagion.

Social Vulnerability and Compliance With World Health Organization Advice on Protective Behaviors Against COVID-19 in African and Asia Pacific Countries: Factor Analysis to Develop a Social Vulnerability Index.

COVID-19 protective behaviors are key interventions advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent COVID-19 transmission. However, achieving compliance with this advice is often challenging, particularly among socially vulnerable groups. We developed a social vulnerability index (SVI) to predict individuals' propensity to adhere to the WHO advice on protective behaviors against COVID-19 and identify changes in social vulnerability as Omicron evolved in African countries between January 2022 and August 2022 and Asia Pacific countries between August 2021 and June 2022. In African countries, baseline data were collected from 14 countries (n=15,375) during the first Omicron wave, and follow-up data were collected from 7 countries (n=7179) after the wave. In Asia Pacific countries, baseline data were collected from 14 countries (n=12,866) before the first Omicron wave, and follow-up data were collected from 9 countries (n=8737) after the wave. Countries' socioeconomic and health profiles were retrieved from relevant databases. To construct the SVI for each of the 4 data sets, variables associated with COVID-19 protective behaviors were included in a factor analysis using polychoric correlation with varimax rotation. Influential factors were adjusted for cardinality, summed, and min-max normalized from 0 to 1 (most to least vulnerable). Scores for compliance with the WHO advice were calculated using individuals' self-reported protective behaviors against COVID-19. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the associations between the SVI and scores for compliance to WHO advice to validate the index. In Africa, factors contributing to social vulnerability included literacy and media use, trust in health care workers and government, and country income and infrastructure. In Asia Pacific, social vulnerability was determined by literacy, country income and infrastructure, and population density. The index was associated with compliance with the WHO advice in both time points in African countries but only during the follow-up period in Asia Pacific countries. At baseline, the index values in African countries ranged from 0.00 to 0.31 in 13 countries, with 1 country having an index value of 1.00. The index values in Asia Pacific countries ranged from 0.00 to 0.23 in 12 countries, with 2 countries having index values of 0.79 and 1.00. During the follow-up phase, the index values decreased in 6 of 7 African countries and the 2 most vulnerable Asia Pacific countries. The index values of the least vulnerable countries remained unchanged in both regions. In both regions, significant inequalities in social vulnerability to compliance with WHO advice were observed at baseline, and the gaps became larger after the first Omicron wave. Understanding the dimensions that influence social vulnerability to protective behaviors against COVID-19 may underpin targeted interventions to enhance compliance with WHO recommendations and mitigate the impact of future pandemics among vulnerable groups.

Evaluating Public Satisfaction and Its Determinants in Chinese Sponge Cities Using Structural Equation Modeling

Public satisfaction is an important indicator of the success of environmental policies and management practices. China’s sponge city development (SCD) initiative was launched in 2014 and has received international attention for its technical advancements and environmental achievements. Public satisfaction, however, has not been fully investigated in cities transformed by SCD. This study uses public surveys and structural equation modeling to evaluate people’s satisfaction with SCD in four pilot sponge cities, and how familiarity with SCD, perceived benefits, concerns about adverse effects, and trust in government influence satisfaction levels. The results show that people in the four cities were, on average, slightly satisfied with SCD. Familiarity, perceived benefits, and trust in government were significant determinants of public satisfaction. On the contrary, concerns about the adverse effects of SCD did not significantly influence people’s satisfaction. Moreover, a mismatch was found between government-led evaluation outcomes and satisfaction measured here. This study highlights the importance of social and perceived values in shaping people’s satisfaction with SCD and provides suggestions for management strategies for enhancing public satisfaction, ultimately supporting the long-term effectiveness of urban stormwater management programs.

Technocracy without society: a critique of nudging as an approach to managing risk

ABSTRACT This article considers the evolution of public risk management over the past half century in the United States, focusing on ‘nudging’ as a technique to manage a variety of risks – environmental, health, and financial – through shifts in individual behaviour. I argue that nudging operates according to a privatised, market-based logic of security that displaces more democratic approaches. I further show how nudging aims to go beyond the political – which is to say beyond the realm of democratic contestation over the assessment and mitigation of risk, thereby reinforcing an unsustainable view of risk management as an apolitical set of ‘best practices’. I further argue that this technocratic approach to risk has become particularly problematic amid a populist backlash against scientific expertise and elite institutions, and may even leave advanced democracies less able to manage the risks they face: the erosion of public trust in experts and government undermines both the attempt to nudge individuals towards ‘prudential’ choices and government mandates to manage risks through more aggressive regulatory means.

How multifaceted trust influences travel intention amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from China

ABSTRACT Tourist trust is a crucial determinant of travel behavior amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a thorough investigation of the multidimensional trust structure and the diverse impacts of each sub-dimension on travel behavior during COVID-19 is currently under-researched. To fill this gap, this study proposed a two-level, five-dimensional trust construct and further examined its impact on risk perception and travel intention. The moderating effect of travel motivation was also examined. Using data from 634 online survey participants in China, we conducted a hierarchical regression analysis and found that interpersonal, government, and enterprise trust are negatively associated with prospective tourists’ risk perception, which in turn increases travel intention. Moreover, high-level travel motivation enhances the negative influence of most multifaceted trust dimensions on risk perception while attenuating the negative influence of risk perception on travel intention. Our results have theoretical and managerial implications.

Trust in government, tax digitalization and tax education influence tax compliance with experience as a moderation

This study aims to examine the effect of trust in the government, tax digitization, and tax education on tax compliance with experience as a moderating variable. This study is an associative quantitative research using primary data in the form of a questionnaire. The population in this study is individual taxpayers registered at KPP Pratama Cilacap by giving several statements or questions to respondend totaling 97,483 people and a sample of 398 people. This research uses purposive sampling based on Slovin theory. The data analysis technique used in this study is the PLS-SEM model. This study uses descriptive statistical tests, measurement evaluation models, structural evaluation models and goodness-of-fit evaluation models. This study concludes that trust in government, tax digitalization, tax education and experience give positive impact to tax compliance. Experience cannot moderate the impact of trust in government to tax compliance. Experience weakened the impact of tax digitalization to tax compliance. Experience can moderate the impact of tax education on tax compliance.

ANALISIS KINERJA BADAN PERMUSYAWARATAN DESA SENDAWAR DALAM PENYUSUNAN PERATURAN DESA KECAMATAN SEMIDANG ALAS MARAS KABUPATEN SELUMA

The Village Consultative Body (BPD) has an important role in drafting village regulations. The Village Consultative Body discusses and approves draft village regulations proposed by the village head, and supervises their implementation. They also collect input from residents and ensure village regulations meet community needs. The preparation of village regulations is the process of forming rules that apply at the village level, aimed at regulating the lives of village communities and the administration of village government. The aim of this research is to determine the performance of the Sendawar Village Consultative Body in drafting village regulations in Semidang Alas Maras District, Seluma Regency. The type of research used in this research is qualitative with a descriptive approach. The unit of analysis in this study consisted of 8 (eight) informants chosen deliberately who were considered to know best what the researcher expected. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews and documentation. The results of this research state that the performance of the Sendawar Village Consultative Body, Semidang Alas Maras District, Seluma Regency has not gone well. This is because in this village there are no village regulations prepared by the Village Consultative Body and Village Government. The absence of village regulations results in a lack of guidelines for regulating village social, economic and environmental life, which can trigger conflicts between residents and slow down village development. Apart from that, legal uncertainty can also reduce public trust in village government. This also indicates that the function of the Sendawar Village Consultative Body in discussing and approving village regulations is not running well or is not optimal. Keywords: Village Consultative Body, Performance, Village Regulations