Perceptual Bias and Public Programs: The Case of the United States and Hospital Care

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Meier, Kenneth J.; Johnson, Austin P.; An, Seung-Ho
• 署名单位: American University; Cardiff University; Leiden University; Leiden University - Excl LUMC; Texas A&M University System; Texas A&M University College Station; University of Arizona
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.13067
• 发表日期: 2019
• 页码: 820-828
• 关键词: cross-national analysis; performance evidence; citizen satisfaction; Cognitive biases; management; DEMOCRACY; INFORMATION; POLICY; Stakeholders; bureaucracy

摘要

This article examines whether the public holds biased perceptions of public organizations (in this case, hospitals) in the United States and whether organizations get credit for positive results from program evaluations. Using an experimental design that replicates Hvidman and Andersen's 2016 Danish study, the study finds no negative public sector biases in the United States, but organizations are not given any credit for positive program evaluations. These results hold in two experimental replications. The implications of the findings for the measurement of public perceptions of government programs and for effective democratic governance are discussed.