The roles of Zhongyong and political efficacy on citizens’ e-participation in digital government platform

Purpose This study aims to explore the roles of Zhongyong and political efficacy on citizens’ intention to use digital government platforms for e-participation (i.e. e-participation intention). Zhongyong is a dialectical way of thinking that influences Chinese behavioral intentions and approaches. Political efficacy is a predictor of traditional political participation. Both of them have not been adequately investigated in this digital era, particularly regarding e-participation in digital government platforms. Therefore, this study investigates their relationships. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative model is constructed to examine the relationship between Zhongyong and citizens’ e-participation intention (internal and external) political efficacy serves as a mediator. An online questionnaire gathered 345 responses from three representative provinces of China (i.e. Guangdong, Jiangxi and Shanxi). Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted and executed with Smart PLS 4.0 to analyze the data. Findings Zhongyong and (internal and external) political efficacy can positively influence citizens’ e-participation intention. Moreover, (internal and external) political efficacy mediates the relationship between Zhongyong and citizens’ e-participation intention. Research limitations/implications This research focuses on Chinese culture Zhongyong and surveyed Chinese citizens, thus is limited to the Chinese context. Second, this study used cross-sectional data. Third, this study only investigated two factors’ effects on e-participation, i.e. Zhongyong and political efficacy. Practical implications The findings provide multifaceted strategies for improving citizens’ adoption of digital government platforms for e-participation. Incentive policies to boost citizens’ (internal and external) political efficacy can be launched. To achieve broader citizen participation, a participative culture can be cultivated based on Zhongyong. Originality/value This study constructs a novel model that innovatively links Zhongyong thinking, political efficacy and e-participation intention. The results underscore the importance of Zhongyong culture and political efficacy in increasing citizens’ e-participation intention.