Critical factors influencing information disclosure in public organisations

Tejedo-Romero, F., & Ferraz Esteves Araujo, J. F. (2023). Critical factors influencing information disclosure in public organisations. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01814-8 This episode investigates the factors influencing information disclosure in Portuguese municipalities, analyzing data from 308 municipalities between 2013 and 2016. Using the Information Disclosure Index (IDI) by Transparência e Integridade (TIAC) as a measure, the study explores variables like Internet access, municipal wealth, financial independence, debt-to-income ratio, voter turnout, political ideology, and electoral cycles. Results show a rise in disclosure over time, supporting agency theory, where governments increase transparency to reduce information asymmetry and build trust. Internet access and debt ratios emerged as critical factors, with higher Internet penetration aligning with legitimacy theory. Municipalities led by left-wing parties disclosed more, reflecting the need to justify interventionist policies. Election years drive increased transparency, possibly to influence voters, while wealth and financial independence showed no significant link, highlighting contextual nuances. This episode underscores the political role in fostering transparency and offers insights for policymakers to enhance public access to information.