What makes citizens participate in government data governance? A study based on Behavioral Reasoning Theory

This study seeks to examine the underlying mechanisms that shape citizens’ intentions to participate in government data governance. By uncovering the multifaceted determinants that facilitate or inhibit such participation, this study provides a theoretical foundation and methodological approach for future related research. Based on the findings, practical strategies to bolster citizen engagement in government data governance are proposed. An integrated higher-order reflective-formative model was constructed using the Behavioral Reasoning theory as a foundational framework. This model amalgamates the Civic Voluntarism Model, the Administrative Burden Theory, and the Ladder of Citizen Participation Theory. We employed PLS-SEM to analyze the influence of value orientation, attitude, participation, and non-participation reasoning on civic participation intention. Simultaneously, we explored the effects of six lower-order factors—motivation, resource, mobilization, psychological cost, compliance cost, and learning cost—on participation and non-participation reasoning. The study found that value orientation significantly and positively influences both participation reasoning and attitudes. Conversely, value orientation has a significant negative effect on non-participation reasoning. Participation reasoning positively impacts attitudes and the willingness to participate. Non-participation reasoning negatively affects attitudes and the willingness to participate. Motivation plays a crucial role in shaping a citizen’s participation reasoning. Compliance cost is also a key factor influencing citizens’ non-participation reasoning.