The moderating effect of digital literacy on the link between e-government effectiveness and trust in government

Trust in government is crucial for effective governance in modern democratic societies, given its role in establishing government legitimacy. However, public trust has significantly declined, which has prompted questions about the potential of e-government to restore it. Despite widespread adoption of e-government, research on its impact on public trust has produced mixed findings. Addressing this gap, this study investigates the complex relationship between e-government and public trust, emphasizing the moderating role of digital literacy. Analyzing a sample of approximately 1,900 New Jersey residents, we reveal a positive association between favorable evaluations of e-government effectiveness and trust in the New Jersey government, with digital literacy playing a positive moderating role. This study contributes to the existing literature by addressing the intricate relationship between e-government, citizen perceptions of government performance, and trust in government, while providing valuable policy insights on enhancing e-government services and citizens’ digital literacy levels to cultivate trust.