Public Legitimacy, Institutional Trust, and Social Trust in Village Governance: Evidence from Indragiri Hilir Regency

Abstract

Abstract:   

Research aims:

This study examines the effect of Public Legitimacy on Social Trust and investigates the mediating role of Institutional Trust in village governments in Indragiri Hilir Regency, Indonesia.

Design/Methodology/Approach:
A quantitative approach was employed using survey data from 122 village government officials. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).

Research findings:

The results show that Public Legitimacy positively influences Institutional Trust, while Institutional Trust positively affects Social Trust. However, Public Legitimacy does not directly affect Social Trust. Institutional Trust fully mediates the relationship between Public Legitimacy and Social Trust.

Theoretical contribution/Originality:

This study integrates Legitimacy Theory, Institutional Trust Theory, and Social Capital Theory and demonstrates that Institutional Trust serves as the key mechanism linking Public Legitimacy and Social Trust in village governance. This study extends the trust and governance literature by demonstrating that institutional trust serves as the primary mechanism through which perceived legitimacy is transformed into broader social trust within village governance settings

Practitioner/Policy implication:

Village governments should strengthen not only transparency and accountability but also institutional credibility, professionalism, and integrity to enhance citizens’ trust and social cohesion.

Research limitation/Implication:

The study is limited to a single regency and cross-sectional data. Future research may include additional governance variables and comparative regional analyses.