Trust and Co-Production: Local Leaders’ Experiences from an Extreme Military Crisis

The study explores the role of trust in public administration organizations and the use of co-production to enhance communities’ ability to cope with crises. The paper utilizes Festinger’s cognitive dissonance theory (CDT) and the social construction theory to delve into community leaders’ perceptions of crisis experiences. While previous studies have examined factors affecting policy reactions to crises and the behavior of leaders during such times, there are still gaps in our theoretical and empirical understanding of these extreme cases. This research presents an exploratory qualitative study based on interviews with 18 local leaders from communities in the Gaza envelope after October 7th. Preliminary findings reveal two central macro themes. The first is cognitive, which includes five paradoxes – 1) Together vs. Alone; 2) Helps vs. Creates difficulties (chaos); 3) Good experiences vs. Bad experiences; 4) Certainty vs. Uncertainty; 5) Optimism vs. Pessimism. The second functional perspective, which I termed the ‘crisis triangle,’ includes capacities, trust, and knowledge. Both themes shed light on the issue of trust and co-production in times of extreme crisis.

Lihi Lahat, Fall 2024 Helen Diller Institute Visiting Scholar; Associate Professor of Public Administration and Policy at Sapir Academic College; Affiliate Associate Professor of Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies at Concordia University

This event is open to UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff. A kosher lunch will be provided for all registrants beginning at noon.

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