The Role of Effective Communication in Enhancing the Transparency of Public Institutions: A Case Study in Local Public Administration

In the context of increasing demands for public accountability and the consolidation of participatory democracy, effective institutional communication emerges as a key determinant of administrative transparency. This article examines the relationship between public communication and institutional transparency within local public administration in Romania, integrating theoretical, legislative, and empirical perspectives. The study employs a mixed-methods design (qualitative–quantitative), combining document analysis with a case study conducted on a sample of N = 108 citizens. The findings reveal a significant correlation between the clarity and accessibility of communication and the perception of transparency. Statistically significant differences were identified between urban and rural respondents (t(106) = 2.34, p = 0.021), as well as across educational levels (F(2,105) = 4.98, p = 0.009). Although digitalization is perceived as a facilitating factor, the overall level of civic participation remains limited. The study confirms the hypothesis that effective communication does not merely reflect institutional transparency but actively generates it, provided that it is strategically supported and embedded within an organizational culture grounded in openness and responsiveness.