Date of Award

Fall 12-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

School of Public Service

Program/Concentration

Public Administration and Policy

Committee Director

John Lombard

Committee Member

Gail Nicula

Committee Member

Benjamin Melusky

Abstract

Since the 1960s, the United States has experienced a persistent decline in public trust in government. The Founders believed that government could only function with the consent of the governed, making this erosion of trust a significant concern for democratic legitimacy. In response, many scholars and practitioners have championed transparency as a pillar of sound governance and a potential remedy for rebuilding trust. However, the solution may not be as simple as improving openness. Public officials increasingly recognize that transparency alone may have limited or even unintended consequences, especially when public participation is low or administrative resources are strained.

This dissertation explores the effectiveness of transparency initiatives, like Ohio’s Open Checkbook, through the lens of the Integrated Policy-Making Framework and Eckerd and Heidelberg’s (2020) research on how administrators perceive citizens. Employing a convergent mixed methods design, the study draws on statewide survey data from Ohio residents and semi-structured interviews with Ohio public administrators. Quantitative findings reveal that, in isolation, participation in Open Checkbook does not significantly increase public trust. However, when citizens are educated about the initiative, trust levels improve, suggesting that civic knowledge mediates the impact of transparency. Qualitative findings identify four key themes shaping decision-making. This research contributes to the field by demonstrating that transparency must be paired with civic education and meaningful public participation.

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DOI

10.25777/7af7-zc19

ORCID

0009-0004-5398-7539

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