Transparency and efficient management in local governments

The purpose of this paper is to analyse if municipalities that manage their services more efficiently are more transparent. Using a sample of Spanish municipalities for 2019, we find that more efficient municipalities do indeed put a greater emphasis on the dissemination of the information on most of the issues related to their management. Moreover, our results show that the richest municipalities and the most indebted are also willing to disclose more information. Furthermore, it seems that municipalities in which the government has a majority, is right-wing and/or whose mayor is a woman disclose more information. Finally, our findings show that municipalities with lower voter turnout tend to be more transparent.

Automated summary

In summary, municipalities that manage their services more efficiently tend to be more transparent, as do wealthier and more indebted municipalities. Additionally, it appears that municipalities where the government has a majority, is right-wing, or has a female mayor are more willing to disclose information. Lower voter turnout is also associated with increased transparency in municipalities.