Assessing the Costs of Public Participation: A Case Study of Two Online Participation Mechanisms

    Authors

    X. H. Wang;T. A. Bryer

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Amer. Rev. Public Adm.

    Keywords

    citizen participation; public participation; participation cost; civic; engagement; public participation cost; CITIZEN PARTICIPATION; DECISION-MAKING; GOVERNANCE; SCIENCE; MANAGEMENT; AGENCIES; AGENDA; MODEL; Public Administration

    Abstract

    In 2009, the authors facilitated a citizen-participation process in a local community in Florida in the United States. Using an inductive content analysis across two online participation data sources, the study develops a set of testable propositions about cost functions of public participation. The study shows a nonlinear relationship between administrative costs and participation quantity. It also demonstrates no direct relationship between the costs and participation quality. Moreover, the cost functions vary in different participation mechanisms. These propositions provide a basis for future research to improve cost management in public participation.

    Journal Title

    American Review of Public Administration

    Volume

    43

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2013

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    179

    Last Page

    199

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000316742600003

    ISSN

    0275-0740

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