Transparency is in the eye of the beholder

The effects of identity and negative perceptions on ratings of transparency via surveys

Bibliographic Data

ID9961682
AuthorsHeungsik Park (Chung-Ang University, South Korea), Heung-Sik Park (0000-0003-0146-773X, Chung-Ang University, corresponding author), Joseph Blenkinsopp (0000-0002-1548-0583, University of Hull), John Blenkinsopp (Hull University Business School, UK)
Year2017
Volume83
Issue1_suppl
Pages177-194
Publication date2017-03-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Review of Administrative Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-8523 • E-ISSN: 1461-7226
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0020852315615197
OpenAlexW2339411070
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited34

Surveys are a commonly used means of measuring transparency levels, but they are potentially vulnerable to perceptual biases. This study sought to examine perceptual differences by the respondents’ identities as general citizens or public employees, and the possible negative perceptions that one group may have of the other concerning responses to a survey-based measure of transparency. The survey was designed on the basis of existing literature, suggesting that transparency has up to six facets. Two samples were taken: from citizens who visited district offices to file civil applications during the survey period; and from public employees involved in processing these applications. A total of 472 surveys were used for analysis: 233 citizens and 239 public employees. The results indicated that the two groups had different understandings of transparency. Data from public employees produced a three-factor solution, which was labeled as Efficiency, Reliability, and Access. For citizens, a two-factor solution was a better fit, with the factors being described as Accessibility (a wider notion than Access) and Utility. The findings suggest that public employees adopt a somewhat technical view of transparency, whereas citizens have more practical concerns about it. Only citizens’ unfavorable perception of public employees had a negative influence on the level of transparency. This study contributes to the understanding of how public employees and citizens have qualitatively different perceptions of transparency

Business · Perception · Political science · Public relations · Survey data collection · Survey instrument · Transparency (behavior · Accounting · E-Government and Public Services · Marketing · Psychology · Public Policy and Administration Research · Public Procurement and Policy

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