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Social Accountability: E-Monitoring Public Management in an Emerging Economy

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Abstract

Using the theory of planned behaviour, this research investigates whether a computerised system is capable of inducing the intention, and consequently the behaviour of individuals, to monitor public management. The CidadES—Controle Social system was the object of study and the data collection was conducted through an electronic questionnaire. Using structural equation modelling with partial least squares estimation, results indicate that intention and behaviour are mainly influenced by the usefulness that individuals attribute to this type of system. The present study broadens the understanding of behaviour in the use of e-Government systems within the important dimension of social accountability.

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Funding

This research was supported by Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/Brazil), project 304209/2018–0, by Foundation for Research Support of Espírito Santo (FAPES/Brazil), projects 84513772 (599/2018) and 85395650 (228/2019), by Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT/Portugal) through NECE (Núcleo de Estudos em Ciências Empresariais), project UID/ GES/04630/2020, and by IFTS (Instituto Fucape de Tecnologias Sociais), project 2021–2024.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FUCAPE Business School, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 1358, Boa Vista, Vitória, ES, 29.075-505, Brazil

    Klayson Sesana Bonatto, João Eudes Bezerra Filho & Emerson Wagner Mainardes

  2. Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK

    Fábio Yoshio Suguri Motoki

Authors
  1. Klayson Sesana Bonatto
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  2. Fábio Yoshio Suguri Motoki
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  3. João Eudes Bezerra Filho
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  4. Emerson Wagner Mainardes
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Correspondence to Emerson Wagner Mainardes.

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Appendix — Constructs and Measurements

Appendix — Constructs and Measurements

Opinion Survey on Computerized Social Accountability tools

This survey seeks to know the opinion of people regarding computerized tools aimed at the social accountability of public accounts.

Before proceeding, we invite you to meet the tool CidadES Controle Social, available at http://cidades.tce.es.gov.br, which allows citizens to monitor how the public resources are collected and spent in Espírito Santo/Brazil.

After using the system, answer the questions below. It will not be necessary to identify yourself and it will take no more than 3 min.

The scale of 1 to 7 points represents the degree to which you agree or disagree with the statements. There are no right or wrong answers in any of the items, since what is intended is only your honest opinion. For the questionnaire to be considered valid, all questions must be answered.

Responses are confidential and will be used to improve the system.

Thank you for your willingness to cooperate!

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Bonatto, K.S., Motoki, F.Y.S., Bezerra Filho, J.E. et al. Social Accountability: E-Monitoring Public Management in an Emerging Economy. Public Organiz Rev 22, 155–172 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-021-00524-6

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