THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This research aims to: 1) study the role of civil society organizations in promoting transparency in public administration, and 2) propose guidelines for developing the role of civil society organizations in promoting transparency. The study employed qualitative research methodology, collecting data from 40 key informants comprising 15 civil society organization executives, 10 government administrators, 10 academics, and 5 public representatives through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions with 8 experts, and relevant document analysis. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis and thematic analysis.
The findings revealed that: 1) Civil society organizations play four crucial roles: 1) government monitoring and oversight through digital systems and vigilance networks, 2) strengthening public sector engagement through capacity building and community-level networks, 3) policy and legal advocacy for transparency promotion, and 4) building cooperative networks both domestically and internationally. 2) Guidelines for developing and improving the role of civil society organizations in promoting transparency encompass four areas: 1) organizational capacity development in terms of personnel and fundraising, 2) digital technology application for data analysis and public participation, 3) collaboration network development at policy level and internationally, and 4) operational mechanism improvement for standardization and measurable outcomes. The research findings led to significant policy recommendations, including the establishment of a support fund for civil society organizations, development of real-time digital platforms for budget monitoring, and creation of standardized training programs for public auditors.
Article Details
References
Banchuk-Petrosova, O., & Madryha, T. (2024). Civil society institutions in the system of anti-corruption policy implementation. Journal of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, 31(1), 190-199.
Bannister, F., & Connolly, R. (2011). The Trouble with Transparency: A Critical Review of Openness in e-Government. Policy & Internet, 3(1), 1-30.
Bauhr, M., & Grimes, M. (2022). Democracy and the challenge of anti-corruption reform: A research agenda. Democratization, 29(1), 3-25.
Cucciniello, M., Porumbescu, G. A., & Grimmelikhuijsen, S. (2017). 25 years of transparency research: Evidence and future directions. Public Administration Review, 77(1), 32-44.
de Fine Licht, J. (2014). Policy area as a potential moderator of transparency effects: An experiment. Public Administration Review, 74(3), 361-371.
Doig, A., & McIvor, S. (2003). The national integrity system: Assessing corruption and reform. Public Administration and Development, 23(4), 317-332.
Firman, A., Rahmawati, R., & Trijayanto, D. (2024). Digital transformation in public services: The role of civil society organizations in promoting transparency. International Journal of Civil Society and Social Change, 9(1), 45-62.
Galdino, K. M., Santos, E. M., & Silva, R. F. (2023). Bottom-up approaches to transparency: Civil society networks in Latin America. Third World Quarterly, 44(2), 351-369.
Grimmelikhuijsen, S., & Meijer, A. J. (2014). Effects of transparency on the perceived trustworthiness of a government organization: Evidence from an online experiment. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 24(1), 137-157.
Hood, C. (1991). A public management for all seasons? Public Administration, 69(1), 3-19.
Hood, C. (2006). Transparency in historical perspective. In C. Hood & D. Heald (Eds.), Transparency: The key to better governance? (pp. 3-23). Oxford University Press.
Kamwela, J. M. (2022). The role of civil society organizations in promoting transparency and accountability in Tanzania. African Journal of Public Sector Development and Governance, 5(1), 89-104.
Kashukeeva-Nusheva, V. (2024). Building citizen capacity for local governance oversight: Case studies from Southeast Europe. Journal of Civil Society, 20(1), 1-18.
Meijer, A. (2009). Understanding modern transparency. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 75(2), 255-269.
Meijer, A. (2012). Understanding the complex dynamics of transparency. Public Administration Review, 72(S1), S429-S439.
O'Neill, O. (2006). Transparency and the ethics of communication. In C. Hood & D. Heald (Eds.), Transparency: The key to better governance? (pp. 75-90). Oxford University Press.
Ofosu-Peasah, G. (2023). Funding challenges and organizational capacity of civil society organizations in developing countries. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 34(4), 789-803.
Pathmanand, U. (2001). Globalization and democratic development in Thailand: The new path of the military, private sector, and civil society. Contemporary Southeast Asia, 23(1), 24-42.
Piotrowski, S. J. (2007). Governmental transparency in the path of administrative reform. State University of New York Press.
Pongsapan, R. (2000). Civil society in Thailand: A study of civic groups in urban development. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Rhodes, R. A. W. (1997). Understanding governance: Policy networks, governance, reflexivity and accountability. Open University Press.
Romero, M. (2023). Digital technologies and civil society: Leveraging big data and AI for public accountability. Government Information Quarterly, 40(3), 101785.
Rose-Ackerman, S. (1999). Corruption and government: Causes, consequences, and reform. Cambridge University Press.
Ruvalcaba-Gomez, E. A., & Renteria, C. (2020). Contrasting paths to transparency: Civil society's role in open government initiatives. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 86(4), 762-779.
Stiglitz, J. E. (1999). On liberty, the right to know, and public discourse: The role of transparency in public life. Oxford Amnesty Lecture.
UNDP. (1997). Governance for sustainable human development. United Nations Development Programme.
Ungsuchaval, T., & Ariyasirichot, K. (2023). Evolution of civil society organizations in Thailand: From grassroots movements to
institutional partners (1960-2022). Journal of Contemporary Asia, 53(3), 447-469.
Weber, M. (1922). Economy and society: An outline of interpretive sociology. University of California Press.
World Bank. (1992). Governance and development. The World Bank.
Worthy, B. (2017). The politics of freedom of information: How and why governments pass laws that threaten their power. Manchester University Press.
