Transparency has often been hailed as a golden tool to bolster citizens’ trust in government and improve public governance. However, there is a considerable disparity in theoretical reasoning and empirical findings. Through a meta-analysis of 49 studies with 436 effect sizes, this study provides novel perspectives for understanding the effect of transparency on citizens’ trust in government. To test these mechanisms, we draw on various social science theories such as agency theory, deliberative democracy theory, procedural justice theory, a disappointment effect view, and a misinformation/information overload view. The meta-analysis indicates that the overall effect of transparency on trust is positive and significant, with an average effect size being 0.13 points. The meta-regression results further show that the impact of transparency on trust is negatively moderated by computer-mediated transparency and decision-making transparency, and it varies in a non-linear pattern with the level and the color of transparency. The findings from this paper advance the theoretical development of the contextual conditions under which transparency may or may not lead to more trust in government. They also suggest helpful strategies for governments to foster a trusting relationship with their citizens.

中文翻译：

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阳光能驱散不信任吗？透明度对公民对政府信任影响的元分析

透明度经常被誉为增强公民对政府的信任和改善公共治理的黄金工具。然而，理论推理和实证结果存在相当大的差异。通过对具有 436 个效应量的 49 项研究的荟萃分析，本研究为理解透明度对公民对政府信任的影响提供了新的视角。为了检验这些机制，我们借鉴了各种社会科学理论，例如代理理论、协商民主理论、程序正义理论、失望效应观点和错误信息/信息过载观点。荟萃分析表明，透明度对信任的总体影响是积极且显着的，平均影响大小为 0.13 分。元回归结果进一步表明，透明度对信任的影响受到计算机中介透明度和决策透明度的负面调节，并且随着透明度的水平和颜色呈非线性变化。本文的研究结果推动了背景条件的理论发展，在这些条件下，透明度可能会或可能不会导致对政府的更多信任。他们还建议政府采取有益的策略，与公民建立信任关系。本文的研究结果推动了背景条件的理论发展，在这些条件下，透明度可能会或可能不会导致对政府的更多信任。他们还建议政府采取有益的策略，与公民建立信任关系。本文的研究结果推动了背景条件的理论发展，在这些条件下，透明度可能会或可能不会导致对政府的更多信任。他们还建议政府采取有益的策略，与公民建立信任关系。