Transparency-enabling information systems: trust relations and privacy concerns in open governance

Abstract

Information systems designed to enable transparency of public expenses and discourage corruption in the public sector are being embraced worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to examine the value of transparency-enhancing IT from a citizens' perspective. In order to fulfil this objective we address several research questions associated with the impact of openness on citizens' trust, focusing on transparency-enabling IS. In addition, we explore the impact of privacy requirements and regulations on these systems, and the effect they have on citizens' attitude towards openness. This study comprises a web survey, followed by an empirical investigation involving citizens who have used a specific system of this kind, 'Diavgeia'; the national transparency system in Greece. The results demonstrate that the system is a well-established, reliable data source, and is regarded potentially trust-enhancing. Meanwhile, personal privacy risks related to the system seem to concern even supporters of the 'right to know' principle.