Different Perceptions of Factors Affecting the Financial Sustainability in Public Administrations

Abstract

With the public finance crisis, the analysis of financial sustainability in governments, its influential factors, and the examination of politicians' perceptions about them have become relevant. In fact, it could be necessary to know whether politicians perceive as drivers or risk factors of financial sustainability those variables that prior research has identified with empirical findings. This chapter seeks to identify whether politicians are aware of influential factors previously identified by prior research for financial sustainability and whether personal characteristics of politicians (age, gender, or educational background) could influence this perception. So, an e-survey targeting politicians was conducted in sample of Spanish municipalities to capture their perceptions on potential risk factors and drivers, comparing this result with the findings obtained by prior research. Findings of this chapter indicate that there are different perceptions of politicians about drivers and risk factors among respondents according to their age, gender, and educational background.