Soonhee Kim

Syracuse University
Jooho Lee
University of Nebraska at Omaha

E-Participation, Transparency, and Trust in Local Government

This article examines the relationship between electronic
participation (e-participation) and trust in local govern-
ment by focusing on ve dimensions of the e-participation
process: (1) satisfaction with e-participation applica-
tions, (2) satisfaction with government responsiveness to
e-participants, (3) e-participants development through
the participation, (4) perceived inuence on decision
making, and (5) assessment of government transparency.
Using data from the 2009 E-Participation Survey in
Seoul Metropolitan Government, this article nds that
e-participants satisfaction with e-participation applica-
tions is directly associated with their development and
their assessment of government transparency. The ndings
reveal that e-participants satisfaction with govern-
ment responsiveness is positively associated with their
perceptions of inuencing government decision making.
Furthermore, there is a positive association between
e-participants perception of inuencing government
decision making and their assessment of government
transparency. Finally, the article nds that there is a
positive association between e-participants assessment
of government transparency and their trust in the local
government providing the e-participation program.
in government (Citrin and Muste 1999; Kim 2010;
Kweit and Kweit 2007).
Though scholars acknowledge the potential role of
citizen participation in public administration decision
making in inuencing public trust in government, the
specic form of the relationship between the process
of citizen participation and its impact on building
public trust in government is yet to be tested (Mizrahi
and Vigoda-Gadot 2009). Several scholars address
this concern and call for more studies on understand-
ing citizens development and citizens perceived
inuence of participation on decision making in the
context of political cultures in dierent countries
(Fung and Wright 2001; Mizrahi and Vigoda-Gadot
2009). While there are various denitions of citizen
participation, Verba, Scholzman, and Brady (1995)
dened it as any voluntary action by citizens that is
more or less directly aimed at inuencing the manage-
ment of collective aairs and public decision making.
Arnstein (1969) introduced a ladder of participation
that describes levels of interaction and inuence in
the decision-making process from elemental to more
in-depth participation (e.g., information, communica-
Soonhee Kim is professor in the
Department of Public Administration and
International Affairs in the Maxwell School
of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse
University. She is coeditor of The Future
of Public Administration Around the
World: The Minnowbrook Perspective
(Georgetown University Press, 2010)
and Public Sector Human Resource
Management (Sage, 2012).
E-mail: shkim07@maxwell.syr.edu
Jooho Lee is assistant professor in the
School of Public Administration, University
of Nebraska at Omaha. His research inter-
ests include e-government/e-participation,
information technology management in the
public sector, public organization theory,
social and organizational networks, and
human resource management.
E-mail: jooholee@unomaha.edu

O
ver the last two decades, researchers have
emphasized citizen participation in public
administration decision making as a means
of collaborating with citizens to promote demo-
cratic values such as responsiveness and account-
ability (Franklin and Ebdon 2004; Fung 2006;
Irvin and Stansbury 2004; King, Feltey, and Susel
1998; Nelson and Wright 1995; Weeks 2000). The
emerging literature on collaborative governance in
public administration suggests that citizens should
be considered not only customers, but also col-
laborative partners in a governance era for build-
ing democratic and eective governance (OLeary
and Bingham 2008; OLeary, Van Slyke, and Kim
2010). Several scholars have also emphasized that
government eorts to provide more opportunities
for citizen participation and input into government
performance evaluation and policy decision making
represent an important strategy for improving trust
tion, consultation, deliberation and decision making).
Meanwhile, the evolution of citizen participation in
public administration decision making faces a new
phase as many government agencies have initiated
electronic government (e-government) development
and taken advantage of Internet-based applications
to facilitate community development and com-
munication with constituents and to provide online
application services (Heeks and Bailur 2007; Norris
and Moon 2005; West 2004). A growing body of
literature focuses on government eorts to utilize new
technologies to enable greater citizen participation in
policy formation and evaluation and to create greater
information exchange between citizens and govern-
ment (Komito 2005; Macintosh and Whyte 2008;
Norris 1999; OECD 2001). Many governments Public Administration Review,
Vol. xx, Iss. xx, pp. xxxx. 2012 by
have adopted various forms of electronic participa- The American Society for Public Administration.
tion (e-participation) applications, including online DOI: 10.111/j.1540-6210.2012.02593.x.

E-Participation, Transparency, and Trust in Local Government 1

forums, virtual discussion rooms, electronic juries, and electronic participation and input into government performance evaluation
polls (OECD 2003). and policy decision making can be important for improving trust in
government (Citrin and Muste 1999; Kim 2010; Kweit and Kweit
The eld of e-government has progressed signicantly; however, 2007; Wang 2001).
the literature has left signicant gaps in our understanding of the
relationships among the management of e-participation applica- Meanwhile, several scholars have explored the role of e-government
tions, citizens experiences of e-participation, and e-participants in public trust in government (Morgeson, Van Amburg and Mithas
trust in government. To ll some of these 2011; Welch, Hinnant, and Moon 2005).
gaps, this article develops a theoretical model Welch, Hinnant, and Moon (2005) found
of the process of e-participation and analyzes This article develops a theo- that government Web site use is positively
the impact of the e-participation process retical model of the process of associated with e-government satisfaction and
on participants trust in government. This e-participation and analyzes the Web site satisfaction and that e-government
article explores how the impact of citizen impact of the e-participation satisfaction is positively associated with trust
e-participation on trust in local govern-
process on participants trust in in government. However, few studies have
ment is facilitated by ve dimensions of the examined the process of e-participation
e-participation process: (1) satisfaction with government. and its impact on building trust in govern-
e-participation applications, (2) satisfaction ment. In this article, e-participation refers
with government responsiveness to e-participants, (3) citizens to citizens voluntary participation and involvement in public
development through the participation, (4) perceived inuence on administration aairs and public decision making through the use
decision making, and (5) assessment of government transparency. of Web-based applications provided by the government. Diverse
e-participation applications can be utilized for increasing the trans-
In order to examine several hypotheses, the study uses the 2009 parency of the political and administrative process, for enhancing
E-Participation Survey data collected from 1,076 e-participants in citizens direct involvement, and for improving the quality of
a program called Cheon Man Sang Sang Oasis (hereafter Oasis) opinion formation by opening new spaces of information and
run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) in South Korea deliberation (Trechsel et al. 2003).
since 2006. The Oasis program was designed to receive input from
the residents of Seoul about SMGs public policies, programs, and This study proposes a theoretical model of the process of
management practices. Based on the ndings, the article discusses e-participation. As depicted in gure 1, the model emphasizes that
the managerial and policy implications of e-participation programs the eect of the e-participation process on e-participants trust in
for building public trust in local government. government is moderated by the extent to which e-participants
are satised with e-participation applications and the quality of
Literature Review and Hypotheses government responsiveness to e-participants needs, e-participants
While there is little agreement on the denition of trust at the development through participation, their perceived inuence on
institutional level, public trust in government can be assessed by the decision making, and their assessment of government transparency.
extent to which citizens have condence in public institutions to This section reviews six hypotheses of the e-participation process
operate in the best interests of society and its constituents (Cleary proposed in the article, which may facilitate the impact of
and Stokes 2006; Inoguchi et al. 2005). Several scholars have identi- e-participation on e-participants trust in the government
ed that citizens perceptions of economic and political performance providing the e-participation programs.
inuence their trust in government (Donovan and Bowler 2004;
Mishler and Rose 2001). Furthermore, scholars argue that insti- E-Participation Applications and Citizens Development
tutional context, political culture, changing behaviors and values In terms of designing e-participation applications, several scholars
of citizens, and citizenstate relationships are important factors in have found that the ease and eectiveness of using e-participation
determining the level of trust in government (Andrain and Smith applications motivates citizens active use of such applications (Kim,
2006; Christensen and Lgreid 2005). Moreover, scholars indicate Kim, and Lennon 2006; Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Malhotra
that government eorts to provide more opportunities for citizen 2005). The purpose of citizens utilization of e-participation

Satisfaction with H1 (+) E-Participants

E-Participation
Development
Applications H4 (+)
Assessment of H6 (+)
H2 (+) E-Participants Trust
Government
in Government
Transparency
Satisfaction with H5 (+)
Government Influence on
Responsiveness H3 (+) Decision Making

Figure 1 Proposed Model of E-Participation and Trust in Government

2 Public Administration Review xxxx | xxxx 2012
applications varies depending on what they need or what they and deliver them to key decision makers accurately (Halvorsen
expect. For example, some e-participants may visit the 2003; King, Feltey, and Susel 1998; Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and
e-participation programs to locate public policy and program Malhotra 2005).
information (e.g., policy proposals, progres-
sive reports) associated with community This research proposes that e-participants
issues. Some e-participants may participate This research proposes that satisfaction with the quality of government
in the programs to propose their input or e-participants satisfaction responsiveness can be positively related
to ask about policy and community issues. with the quality of govern- to e-participants individual development
Other e-participants may want to view other ment responsiveness can be through e-participation. E-participants
e-participants ideas or share their thoughts positively related to e-partici- who receive quality feedback and responses
with others. Depending on the level of
pants individual development through the interaction with government
e-participation experience, e-participants may employees are likely to perceive that they
need or expect various technological sup- through e-participation. gain useful policy information that helps
ports. Accordingly, e-participation applica- them better understand government agen-
tions should be designed to meet citizen needs by oering quality cies and community issues (Blackburn and Bruce 1995; Sabatier
application services. Quality services in e-participation programs can 1988; Yankelovich 1991). Tajfel and Turner (1986) found that
allow e-participants to make suggestions, to locate policy and com- the quality of government response to the citizen participants
munity information, to ask government employees about policy and facilitates participants self-esteem by reinforcing their sense
community issues, and to view other participants input, easily and of being an important part of the community, which increases
eectively (Coleman et al. 2008; West 2004). identification with the community. Moreover, the quality of
feedback and responsiveness often motivates e-participants to
This study proposes that e-participation applications with easy-to- participate frequently (Moon and Sproull 2008), which may
use and eective functions (e.g., online help desk, search engine increase interaction with other e-participants and, in turn,
services, or well-designed content structure) are more likely to help enhance the opportunity to gain support from other
e-participants access and gain information about what govern- e-participants and shared understanding with others.
ment agencies do for their communities and to submit policy
comments and ideas. Furthermore, e-participants may be able to This study further notes that the quality of government response
enjoy a better opportunity to gain support and shared understand- to e-participants can be positively associated with e-participants
ing with other participants when e-participation applications are perceived inuence on decision making through e-participation.
equipped with useful technological functions that make it easy to Scholars have highlighted that citizen participation serves as a means
share their thoughts with other e-participants. Finally, initiating of aecting and controlling government bureaucracy and, in turn,
and suggesting policy input for the community, engaging others enhancing a sense of ownership and empowerment (Box 2007;
thoughts and suggestions, and sharing input with others can serve Roberts 2004). Also, participation introduces citizen monitoring,
as a means of individual e-participants learning and development which increases the likelihood of catching deception and ensures
(Bandura 1977). Therefore, this study proposes the following the governments commitment to openness and honesty (Yang and
hypothesis related to satisfaction with e-participation applications Holzer 2006). As a result, e-participation may enhance the opportu-
and e-participants perceptions of individual development through nity for e-participants to have a greater monitoring role over public
e-participation: administration. Based on this argument, this research proposes the
following hypotheses:
Hypothesis 1: E-participants satisfaction with the user-
friendliness of e-participation applications is positively associ- Hypothesis 2: E-participants satisfaction with the quality of
ated with the degree of e-participants development through government responsiveness is positively related to the degree
e-participation. of e-participants development through e-participation.

Government Responsiveness, Citizen Development, and
Influence on Decision Making
Prior studies have emphasized that participants satisfaction with
citizen participation programs is aected by government employ-
ees responsiveness to participants needs and quality feedback to
participants input (Kweit and Kweit 2004; Parasuraman, Zeithaml,
and Malhotra 2005; Webler and Tuler 2000). Halvorsen (2003)
found that participants who perceive a high quality of interactions
and communications with government employees are more likely
to believe that the agency in charge of managing the participation
program is responsive to public concerns. Because citizens input
is processed through electronic transactions in the e-participation
applications, e-participants satisfaction also depends on the
extent to which the participation process is managed to deal with
participants input securely and fairly (Webler and Tuler 2000)
Hypothesis 3: E-participants satisfaction with the quality of
government responsiveness is positively associated with their
perceived inuence on decision making.
Citizens Development, Influence on Decision Making, and
Government Transparency
Another important question that has not been explored in the eld
of citizen participation and e-participation is how e-participants
development and perceived inuence on decision making through
their e-participation experiences is associated with e-participants
assessments of government transparency. This study proposes that
e-participants perceptions of individual development that emerge
from satisfaction with the quality of government responsiveness
and with the user-friendliness of e-participation applications are
likely to be associated with their positive assessment of government
E-Participation, Transparency, and Trust in Local Government 3
transparency. For example, e-participants who learn more about
community issues (thanks to easy-to-use e-participation applications
and the quality of government responsiveness) are likely to perceive
that the government agencies oering the e-participation program
are capable of improving transparency, two-way communication
with citizens, and participatory governance.
Roberts (2004) argued that citizens ownership and empowerment
are the essence of citizen participation values. One can argue that
e-participants perceived inuence in decision making through their
e-participation experiences may lead to reduced conicts regarding
public policy and programs between e-participants and government
agencies. Also, e-participants who perceive greater inuence on pub-
lic administration decisions and governance issues may show posi-
tive assessments of government transparency. In order to measure
e-participants assessments of government transparency, this study
focuses on openness, corruption, two-way communication with
citizens, and fair and increased opportunities to participate in the
rulemaking process in the government that provides e-participation
programs. This study suggests the following hypotheses:
Hypothesis 4: The degree of e-participants development
through e-participation is positively associated with their
assessment of transparency in the government.
Hypothesis 5: E-participants perceived inuence on decision
making through e-participation is positively associated with
their assessment of transparency in the government.
Government Transparency and E-Participants
Trust in Government
Several studies have suggested that citizens evaluation of govern-
ment performance is positively associated with trust in government
(Chang and Chu 2006; Kim 2010; Mishler and Rose 2001; Orren
1997). For example, Chang and Chu (2006) and Kim (2010)
revealed that citizens perceptions of government performance
on the economy and control of political corruption are positively
associated with their trust in government institutions in several East
Asian countries. Furthermore, several studies have argued that gov-
ernment reform eorts emphasizing more democratic and citizen-
centered transformation have promoted public trust in government
(Kweit and Kweit 2007; Vigoda-Gadot 2007; Wang and Wan Wart
2007). For example, several scholars reported that those who believe
that bureaucracy has made eorts to involve citizens in the admin-
istrative process have greater trust in the government (Kim 2010;
Kweit and Kweit 2007). Scholars have also paid attention to the
association between political corruption and the degree of public
trust in government (Della Porta 2000; Pharr and Putnam 2000;
Seligson 2002). Using the European Commissions Eurobarometer
data, Della Porta (2000) found that the degree of perceived cor-
ruption is negatively associated with trust in government in Italy,
France, and Germany.
A recent study on citizens satisfaction with e-government and
its association with trust in the federal government in the United
States found that if citizens nd e-government transparent, they
are more likely to return to the site, recommend it, use it, and
express more trust in the government agency (Sternstein 2010).
Citizens positive assessment of government performance toward
4 Public Administration Review xxxx | xxxx 2012
more transparency can also serve as a key variable that aects
public trust in government (Kweit and Kweit 2007; Vigoda-Gadot
2007; Wang and Wan Wart 2007). This study proposes the follow-
ing hypothesis:
Hypothesis 6: E-participants assessment of government
transparency is positively associated with their trust in the
government that provides the e-participation programs.
Research Methods
Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has been working on how
to use information technology to expand citizen participation in
government aairs beyond traditional methods of citizen engage-
ment since the administration of former Mayor Goh Kun in 1998.
The evolution of e-government development and e-participation
applications at the local level in South Korea should be understood
in the context of (1) the South Korean Self-Governance Act 1988,
which encouraged local governance and decentralization, and (2)
national government reform eorts aimed at e-government develop-
ment to promote transparency, participation, and anticorruption
(Kim 2009).
This research focuses on Oasis, which is one of the e-participation
programs within the SMG portal site that provides well-organized
and systematic opportunities to participate in government proc-
esses. The Oasis has provided citizens with an opportunity to
submit their ideas and suggestions on proposed specic policies
via policy forums in the Web portal since October 2006.
It further provides e-participants an opportunity to propose new
ideas that may contribute to enhancing government eective-
ness and resolving community issues related to any public policy
and programs in the SMG and governance issues in the city of
Seoul. Since 2006, 50,896 members have joined the Oasis (as of
February 2011), and they have made 122,211 proposals and com-
ments on Seoul government policies, projects, and practices (as of
February 2011).
Data collection. To test our research hypotheses, we designed a
survey questionnaire and implemented a Web-based survey in 2009.
The sample frame was 10,136 members of the Oasis who had
posted at least one suggestion last three years. As of June 2009,
34,792 citizens had joined the Oasis. The Oasis serves as an
electronic channel of citizen participation in the decision-making
processes of the SMG. Using the Oasis, citizens view, submit, and
share their ideas and suggestions on SMG policies and programs
associated with community and governance issues.
Of 10,136 members, we collected survey data from 1,076 partici-
pants (for a response rate of 10.6 percent). Because of the voluntary
nature of Web-based surveys and the low response rate, we per-
formed nonresponse bias test to see whether samples of the popu-
lation had an equal opportunity to respond to the survey (Moon
1999; Rainey, Pandey, and Bozeman 1995). We found that the
respondents and nonrespondents were not signicantly dierent in
terms of age, gender, or living location. Nonresponse bias therefore
was not a concern for the validity of the data.
Table 1 shows the characteristics of the samples. It should be noted
that female samples are underrepresented.
Table 1 Demographics of Oasis Survey on a ve-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree)
Variables Characteristics Respondents (%) to 5 (strongly agree). E-participants development was measured by
adapting the index of seven items (Irvin and Stansbury 2004; Kweit
Gender Male 73.9
Female 26.1 and Kweit 2004; Roberts 2004) with a ve-point Likert scale. These
Age 20s 22.1 items capture the extent of e-participants perceived eect of their
30s 29.3 Oasis participation on individual development. Inuence on deci-
40s 27.8
sion making was measured by using the three items developed based
50s 15.2
Over 60s 2.5 on previous studies (Irvin and Stansbury 2004; Kweit and Kweit
Monthly income (missing = 3) Less than $1,667 16.7 2004; Roberts 2004). Assessment of government transparency was
$1,667$2,492 25.5 measured by the index of ve items. Table 2 presents ve constructs
$2,500$3,332 23.4
with Cronbachs alphas and corresponding survey items with stand-
$3,333$4,166 15.2
$4,167$4,999 9.3 ardized factor loadings.1 All the survey items associated with their
More than $5,000 9.9 respective constructs were found to be statistically signicant
(p < .001), providing evidence of adequate convergent validity.
Measurement. Public trust in government is measured by the single
item adopted from the Asia Barometer Survey (Inoguchi et al. To control for the potential eects of individual characteristics on
2005): To what extent do you trust Seoul Metropolitan trust in government, gender, age, and income variables were included
Government to operate in the best interests of society? The item in the model (Kim 2010; Welch, Hinnant, and Moon 2005). As for
was rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (dont trust at gender, male was coded as 1, while female was coded as 0. To meas-
all) to 5 (trust a lot), with a higher score indicating greater trust. ure age, respondents were asked to indicate their year of birth, which
While the one item may not capture different aspects of public trust then was transformed into their age. Income variable is measured by
in government (e.g., Welch, Hinnant, and Moon 2005), the item a survey item: Which of the following broad categories best describe
can assess the extent to which citizens have confidence in public your total monthly income in 2009? The item includes six catego-
institutions to operate in the best interests of society and its ries; (1) $1,667 or less, (2) $1,667$2,492, (3) $2,500$3,332,
constituents (Cleary and Stokes 2006; McAllister 1995). (4) $3,333$4,166, (5) $4,167$4,999, (6) $5,000 or more.2

Satisfaction with e-participation applications (ve items) and satis- Analyses and Model Assessment
faction with the quality of government responsiveness were measured Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to empirically test
by modifying the service quality index (Lee, Kim, and Ahn 2011; the proposed model, which appears in gure 1. SEM is a statistical
Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Malhotra 2005). Those items were rated technique that simultaneously assesses the reliability and validity of

Table 2 Constructs, Survey Items, and Standardized Factor Loadings

Constructs Survey Items Factor loadings
Satisfaction with e-participation (1) Oasis is easy to search for content and proposals available on Oasis Web sites. .780a
applications ( = .85) (2) Oasis provides effective functions that deal with my questions (Help desk, Q&A, contact information). .698
(3) Oasis provides well-designed content structure. .808
(4) Oasis has content-rich services. .665
(5) Oasis provides the functions that are easy to submit ideas and to get feedback. .690
Satisfaction with government (1) SMG has provided answers and feedback to my proposal in a sincere manner. .793a
responsiveness ( = .87) (2) SMG has provided answers and feedback to others proposal in a sincere manner. .772
(3) I found the Oasis process to be very responsive to my needs. .765
(4) I have confidence that my proposal is delivered accurately. .787
(5) I trust that my proposal is delivered securely. .614
(6) The proposal is selected fairly through Oasis process. .671
E-participants development My participation in Oasis has
( = .89) (1) increased my self-esteem. .804a
(2) contributed to community building. .704
(3) helped me build better civic duties. .769
(4) provided for an opportunity to learn more about community issues. .753
(5) helped me gain useful information through the interaction with other participants. .611
(6) positive impact on my career development. .770
(7) helped me gain support and shared understanding from other participants. .694
Influence on decision-making (1) SMG actually uses my proposal(s) for making and implementing policies and programs. .823a
( = .82) (2) My proposal is helpful for SMG to make and implement policies and programs even though they dont use it .719
actually.
(3) SMG actually uses others proposal(s) for making and implementing policies and programs. .781
Assessment of government (1) SMGs service operation processes have been more transparent. .795a
transparency ( = .89) (2) SMG employees engagement in corruption has been reduced. .699
(3) SMG has promoted two-way communication with the public. .834
(4) SMG has provided the residents of Seoul with greater opportunities to participate in the rulemaking process. .817
(5) SMG has provided the residents of Seoul with an equal opportunity to participate in the rule making process. .807

Note: Cronbachs alpha in parentheses; Oasis (the e-participation program); SMG (Seoul Metropolitan Government).
a. For model identification purpose, loading is fixed at 1 for the indicator in unstandardized solution.

E-Participation, Transparency, and Trust in Local Government 5

the measures of theoretical constructs and estimates the relation-
ships among these constructs (Kline 1998). It is used to analyze
measurement and structural models with multi-item constructs,
and it is widely used in public administration research (Morgeson
III et al, 2011). Specically, the measurement model tests the reli-
ability and validity of the indicators for the corresponding construct
(also known as latent variable or factor), while the structural model
validates the hypothesized paths among constructs (Kline 1998).
Conrmatory factor analysis (CFA) is used to validate the meas-
urement model, and path analysis is applied to test the structural
model. The measurement model should be validated prior to
testing the structural model (Anderson and Gerbing 1988; Garson
2011; Perry et al. 2008). AMOS 7.0 was used and parameters were
estimated by the maximum likelihood method. Both models are
assessed with widely used goodness-of-t indices such as the com-
parative t index (CFI), incremental t index (IFI), and root mean
square error of approximation (RMSEA).
Measurement model. The first step was to use CFA by imposing a
model in which all factors were allowed to covary. As for the data
model fit criteria, a measurement model can be valid when the value
of 2/df is less than 3, values of CFI and IFI are equal to or greater
than .90ideally, equal to or greater than .95and the value of
RMSEA is less than .08 (Byrne 2001; Kline 1998). The overall
model fit measures such as CFI (.927), IFI (.927), and RMSEA
(.060) are good, indicating that the proposed CFA model can be
retained as a valid measurement model. However, the 2 statistic is
significant (1512.8, p = .000, df = 310, n = 405), which is not
indicative of a model fit, and 2/df (4.88) does not meet the
traditional criteria (2/df < 3). However, this rule has been
considered inappropriate because the 2 statistic is often very
sensitive to a large sample size (Byrne 2001; Kline 1998).
Structural model. The second step was to modify the measurement
model to predict theoretically derived paths in the proposed model.
Table 3 shows the goodness-of-fit indices of the hypothesized
structural model. Although the parsimonious index of 2/df does
not support the proposed structural model, the other parsimonious
fit index of RMSEA supports the model (.059) given that the
Table 3 Nested Model Comparisons: Goodness-of-Fit Indices
Structural Model c 2(df) c 2/df c 2(df) CFI
Hypothesized model 1880.3*** (394) 4.77 .912 .895
Alternative model 1 3283.5*** (396) 8.29 -1,403.2*** (2) .828 .829
Alternative model 2 2839.2*** (396) 7.17 -958.9*** (2) .854 .855
Alternative model 3 2397.1*** (395) 6.08 -516.8*** (1) .881 .881
Alternative model 4 1814.6*** (393) 4.62 65.7*** (1) .916 .900
*** p < .001.
Table 4 Correlation Matrix
Mean
1. Satisfaction with e-participation applications 17.52
2. Satisfaction with government responsiveness 18.72
3. E-participants development 23.10
4. Influence on decision making 9.79
5. Assessment of government transparency 27.19
6. E-participants trust in government 3.28
*** p < .001.
6 Public Administration Review xxxx | xxxx 2012
threshold scores are usually lower than .08 (Byrne 2001; Kline
1998). CFI supports the validity of the model (CFI = .912), while
IFT does not (IFI = .895). Those scores are considered an excellent
fit if they are greater than .9.
To assess the tness of the hypothesized model and to determine the
best model to represent the data, we used the change in chi-square
test (Bentler and Bonett 1980) to compare the hypothesized model
with four alternative models (Seibert, Kraimer, and Liden 2001).
Alternative model 1 simply assumes that all constructs are directly
associated with e-participants trust in government. The alternative
model 2 hypothesizes that the e-participation value constructs (i.e.,
e-participants social learning and inuence on decision making) and
e-participants assessments of government transparency are directly
associated with trust in government. However, unlike alternative
model 1, model 2 specied that the association between satisfac-
tion constructs (i.e., satisfaction with e-participation applications
and e-participants relation management) and trust in government
is mediated by e-participants assessments of government transpar-
ency. Alternative model 3 modies model 2 by specifying that the
e-participation value constructs mediate the link between the satis-
faction constructs and trust in government. That is, the satisfaction
constructs are indirectly associated with trust in government through
the e-participation value constructs. Finally, alternative model 4
modies the hypothesized model by adding the direct association
between satisfaction constructs and assessment of transparency.
As shown in table 3, the comparison shows that the hypothesized
model provides a signicantly better t than alternative models 1, 2
and 3. However, the change in chi-square test shows that alternative
model 4 performs signicantly better than the hypothesized model
(2 = 65.7, df = 1, p < .001). Moreover, alternative model 4
provides better RMSEA (.058) and goodness-of-tness indices
(CFI = .916, IFI = .900). Therefore, alternative model 4 is retained
as the revised study model because it is the best-tting model. All of
these alternative models include the control variable paths.
Results
Table 4 shows the means, standard deviations, and correlation
statistics of latent and dependent variables. All of the 15 bivariate
correlations are statistically signicant at p < .001. The magnitude of
Cronbachs coecient for the multiple-item measures and trust meas-
IFI RMSEA ure ranges from .39 (between inuence on decision making and trust
.059
in government) to .70 (between the quality of the e-participants
.082 relation management and inuence on decision making).
.076
.069 The standardized parameter estimates for all paths in the revised
.058 model are reported in gure 2. The t-statistics for path coecients
for six hypotheses are statistically signicant.
S.D 1 2 3 4 5
3.57
4.31 0.60***
4.78 0.47*** 0.62***
2.50 0.50*** 0.70*** 0.58***
6.47 0.53*** 0.53*** 0.54*** 0.52***
0.94 0.40*** 0.43*** 0.46*** 0.39*** 0.69***
 .30(.04)**

.12(.04)**
E-Participants Income Gender
Satisfaction with
E-Participation Development .32(.04)***
-.03(.01) .03(.05)
Applications
Assessment of .70(.04)***
Government E-Participants Trust
.59(.05)***
Transparency in Government
Satisfaction with
Government Influence on .27(.04)*** .10(.002)***
Responsiveness Decision Making
Age
.84(.05)***

-.04(.08)

*** p < .001; ** p < .01; numbers in parentheses indicate standard errors. Hypothesized relationships are
represented by solid lines and nonhypothesized ones are shown by dotted lines.

Figure 2 Results of Revised Model

Figure 2 reveals that hypothesis 1 is supported ( = .12, p < .01). research found that citizens satisfaction with e-participation appli-
Also, the direction of the path is positive, consistently support- cations and government responsiveness has a direct and positive
ing the hypothesis. The revised model indicates that satisfaction association with e-participants perceptions of individual develop-
with e-participation applications has a direct positive eect on ment through e-participation. E-participants greater satisfaction
e-participants assessment of government transparency ( = .30, with the quality of government responsiveness is also positively
p < .001). But further analysis shows no direct link to trust in associated with their perceived inuence on decision making
government ( = .009, p < .756). through e-participation. And, the study observed that e-participants
assessments of government transparency become more favorable
As expected, hypothesis 2 is supported by the data ( =.59, when they perceive that individual development and inuence on
p < .001). That is, e-participants satisfaction with government government decision making are enhanced through e-participation.
responsiveness has a direct eect on their positive perceptions of Finally, we found that assessments of government transparency are
individual development through e-participation. The results also positively associated with e-participants trust in the government
support hypothesis 3 ( = .84, p < .001). That is, the study sample that provides e-participation programs.
reported that satisfaction with government responsiveness is posi-
tively related to their perceptions of inuencing government deci- High costs for accessing policy information and engaging in admin-
sion making. This structural path was the strongest and the most istrative decision-making processes have been criticized as a barrier to
signicant in the model. The revised model, however, suggests that citizen participation (Irvin and Stansbury 2004; Thomas and Streib
there is no direct association between e-participants satisfaction 2003). As noted earlier, Web-based e-participation applications have
with government responsiveness and their assessment of govern- been advocated as a crucial tool for e-government to facilitate citizen
ment transparency ( =.04, p < .694). participation by oering easier and more eective access to policy
information and involvement in administrative decision-making
In addition, the results support hypothesis 4 ( = .32, p < .001). procedures (Walker 2010; Welch, Hinnant, and Moon 2005; West
E-participants who perceived enhanced individual development 2004). The results of this study suggest that e-participation applica-
through their e-participation experiences tions focusing on user-friendly design are
reported positive assessments of government The results of this study suggest likely to create a positive perception of govern-
transparency. The results show that there is that e-participation applica- ment transparency. Another important lesson
a positive relation between e-participants from the study is that citizen satisfaction
perceived inuence on government decision
tions focusing on user-friendly with e-participation applications is indirectly
making and their assessment of government design are likely to create a posi- related to trust in government through either
transparency (hypothesis 5) ( = .27, p < .001). tive perception of government enhanced individual development through
Finally, the data reveal that hypothesis 6 is also transparency. e-participation or positive assessments of
supported ( = .70, p < .001). As expected, government transparency. It is worthwhile
e-participants assessment of government trans- to note that this result is inconsistent with
parency is positively associated with their trust in the government the observations of prior studies that have examined the direct
that provides the e-participation programs. This structural path is the link between satisfaction with e-government applications and trust
second strongest and signicant in the model. (Welch, Hinnant, and Moon 2005; Morgeson, Van Amburg, and
Mithas 2011).
Implications
This study has explored the structure of e-participation process and The study results show that satisfaction with the quality of gov-
its eect on e-participants trust in government. Using survey data ernment responsiveness (e.g., ongoing feedback to e-participants
collected from residents of Seoul who have hands-on experience and credibility for the security of e-participation management) is
with the e-participation program run by SMG in South Korea, this positively associated with e-participants perceptions that they can
E-Participation, Transparency, and Trust in Local Government 7
inuence government decision making through e-participation. Conclusion
These ndings support prior studies regarding the important role This exploratory study contributes to the public trust literature by
of empowerment in delivering eective participation programs uncovering several dimensions of e-participations role in inuenc-
(Moon and Sproull 2008; Kim, Kim, and Lennon 2006). However, ing public trust in government. Instead of a simple and direct link
e-participants satisfaction with government responsiveness is not between e-participation and public trust, the study proposed and
directly linked to their perceptions of government transparency. tested the structural model of the e-participation process, citizens
Rather, e-participants perceptions of individual development development and empowerment, government transparency, and pub-
and inuence on government decision making mediate the link lic trust in government. Furthermore, few empirical studies have been
between satisfaction with the quality of government responsive- conducted to examine how e-government technologies and manage-
ness and perceived government transparency. Moreover, the study ment of e-participation shapes participants perceived inuence on
participants show greater trust in the local government that provides decision making and their assessments of government transparency.
e-participant programs when they have a more favorable assessment
of government performance toward more transparency. The results There are important gaps in the discourse of public administra-
are consistent with prior observations (Wang and Wan Wart 2007; tion when it comes to the eectiveness of citizen participation and
Kweit and Kweit 2007; Vigoda-Gadot 2007). e-participation programs in various countries. The study model
and ndings raise a bigger and important question regarding
The proposed e-participation process model and the results of a how to conduct local e-participation research in the context of
structural equation analysis found in the study indicate that govern- decentralization in dierent regions and countries. How to design
ment leaders need to pay more attention to the process and apply e-participation programs and how to evaluate the eectiveness
a management capacity-building approach to eectively manage of the programs could be aected by dierent cultures, dier-
e-participation programs in local government. Scholars in public ent national values, and dierent institutional needs in dierent
administration and government agencies have also stressed the countries. The results of this study could be outcomes of unique
need to understand the ways in which management capacity and citizenship evolution that has been aected by South Koreas his-
processes can contribute to improved innovation and performance torical, political, and cultural evolution for the last several decades.
(Ingraham, Joyce, and Donahue 2003; Walker and Boyne 2006). Accordingly, more in-depth case studies in various regions and
The results of this study indicate that in order to eectively manage countries may help develop e-participation models, and scholarly
e-participation program, government leaders should emphasize a eorts to perform rigorous testing of the models with valid data
formal evaluation tool for assessing the user-friendliness of specic would facilitate theory building about e-participation eectiveness
e-participation applications, the quality of government responsive- in public administration.
ness to e-participants needs, and government performance on
transparency. While it has several theoretical and practical implications, this
study has limitations to address. First, the study ndings are based
Inviting citizens and employees input to enhance the quality of on one sample of citizens who experienced one e-participation
e-participation process management and to assess the eective- program run by one city government. The study sample may limit
ness of the e-participation programs should be considered. When the external validity of the research. The results may not apply
government leaders adopt a system of managing for results for equally to a dierent context such as e-participation in urban local
e-participation programs, they should consider three key compo- governments in other countries. Further studies need to examine
nents (Ingraham, Joyce, and Donohue 2003): (1) clear objectives of whether the ndings can be applied in dierent contexts. Also, it
specic e-participation applications, (2) performance measurement should be noted that sampling bias could be involved in this study
of the applications, and (3) continuous monitoring of the eective- because the response rate was low and female samples were under-
ness of the e-participation applications. In order to continuously represented. We call for future research to use a more representative
improve the eectiveness of e-participation programs, government sample to verify the ndings. Second, as noted earlier, we measured
leaders should send a report of e-participation eectiveness to major public trust in government using a single survey item. As it is more
stakeholders and solicit feedback. Government leaders also need to sensitive to measurement error than multiple-item measures, the
pay attention to the investment in human results associated with public trust should be
resource capacity for enhancing the quality of interpreted cautiously. We suggest that future
For eective and ecient
government responsiveness. Recognizing the studies use multiple items to broadly and
accomplishments of teams and individuals communication between comprehensively capture the public trust in
that help improve e-participation eective- e-participants and government government.
ness through the high quality of government employees, government leaders
responsiveness should be considered. Finally, need to emphasize management Acknowledgments
for eective and ecient communication capacity building for govern- The authors would like to thank the Seoul
between e-participants and government Metropolitan Government for supporting
ment agencies to coordinate
employees, government leaders need to this research project. An earlier version of
emphasize management capacity building for and enable integration, sharing, this article was presented at the 1st Global
government agencies to coordinate and enable and transfer of information and Conference on Transparency Research
integration, sharing, and transfer of infor- knowledge within agencies and (Rutgers UniversityNewark, May 2011)
mation and knowledge within agencies and governmental networks. and at the Annual International Confer-
governmental networks. ence of the Korean Association for Public
8 Public Administration Review xxxx | xxxx 2012
Administration (Seoul, South Korea, October 2011). Note that
this article is an equal collaboration, and the order of authorship
is alphabetical.
Notes
1. Maximum likelihood estimation technique is used to calculate the factor
loadings () between observed indicators and the corresponding construct
(Shumacker and Lomax 2004, 6669).
2. 1,200 Korean won was equal to approximately US$1 as of September 1, 2011.
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