State-owned Enterprises as Strategic Instruments of Political Communication: Exploring Government-Citizen Engagement in Emerging Democracies
Keywords:
State-owned enterprises, political communication, government legitimacy, , public trust, citizen engagementAbstract
This study evaluated the impact of state-owned businesses as strategic political communication actors on citizen involvement, government legitimacy, and public confidence in developing democracies. The purpose of the study was to ascertain how public perceptions of government efficacy and legitimacy were influenced by service delivery performance, communication of government development priorities, and citizen-oriented communication techniques. Quantitative and qualitative methods were combined in a convergent mixed-methods study design. In addition to interviews with particular stakeholders and experts, 400 respondents completed questionnaires that were used to gather data. Thematic analysis was used to investigate qualitative data, and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. The results showed that citizens' opinions of government legitimacy were greatly improved by state-owned businesses' efficient service delivery. Additionally, the study discovered that inclusive and open communication tactics promoted increased civic engagement, increased public trust, and raised awareness of government efforts. The study's narrow emphasis on particular stakeholders and respondents may have limited how broadly the results could be applied. The report suggested enhancing institutional performance, bolstering citizen-centered communication strategies, and incorporating state-owned businesses into national governance communication frameworks. By creating an interdisciplinary understanding of the communicative function of state-owned firms in connecting political communication, public administration, and governance outcomes, the study advanced knowledge.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Emmanuel Selome FASINU, Joseph Olumayokun OLABISI
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