Measuring Bureaucracy: A New Survey on Citizen Sentiment to Overcome Distortions and Biases in the Perception of Services
摘要
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) incorporates simplification measures as part of its transversal and enabling reforms, crucial for the Plan’s implementation. A specific project, under the Minister for Public Administration, focuses on monitoring and communicating these simplification actions (sub-investment M1C1 2.2.4). To support this, Istat conducted a citizen Sentiment Survey based on two key assumptions. Firstly, citizens’ perceptions of public administration services are often influenced by stereotypes and unrealistic expectations. Therefore, the survey aimed to gather objective evaluations based on real interactions with administrations. Secondly, previous surveys in Italy primarily reflected the administration’s perspective. This new survey adopts the citizens’ viewpoint, using the “life events” model to assess satisfaction with public services during significant life events (e.g., birth, relocation, death). The survey’s approach draws on extensive research on public service quality and satisfaction, focusing on subjective perceptions and specific service usage experiences. By capturing changes in citizens’ and businesses’ expectations, the survey aims to provide actionable insights for potential reforms. The integration of quantitative and qualitative data enhances the multidimensional analysis of public administration performance, offering a comprehensive understanding of citizen sentiment and informing targeted improvements.