Exploring the credibility of performance information data: Evidence from a survey experiment

Extensive research examines performance information use in citizen-government relationships but relatively little is known about the credibility of the information communicated by governments. This article asks: which type of data (perceptual or archival) and which sources of data (internal or external) are most credible? Does this credibility vary by stakeholder group and across service delivery domains? Findings from using the experimental vignette methodology among service providers and citizens in two service areas (secondary education and solid waste management) in Hong Kong suggest that the most credible data are from external sources and archival data in general, but details vary across service domains. The implications for research and practice are discussed in conclusion.