Public perceptions of cross-sector collaboration and sector bias: Evidence from a survey experiment

• Main Authors: LEE, Seulki, KIM, Minjung
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2023
• Subjects: Government legitimacy; Sector bias; Cross-sector collaboration; Survey experiment; Political Science; Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3896; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/5154/viewcontent/Public_perceptions_of_cross_sector_collaboration_and_sector_bias__evidence_from_a_survey_experiment.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

In recent years, public service delivery models have changed to include non-state actors and cross-sector collaboration as service providers. Using a survey experiment, we investigate if service providers’ sector (including single-sector and cross-sector providers) and their performance information shape public perceptions of their legitimacy. We find that cross-sector collaboration does not produce legitimacy gains over traditional public service provision. While providers’ sector has overall little impact on legitimacy perceptions, we find an anti-for-profit sector bias regarding value-laden aspects of perceived legitimacy. Additionally, performance information affects legitimacy perceptions. These findings have implications for legitimacy build-ing in contemporary governance settings.