Measuring trust in Malta’s environmental regulatory bodies

Abstract

This dissertation aims to quantify and measure the trust levels of a sample of University students in two main environmental regulatory authorities. Through a review of existing literature on the subject, this research addresses the lacuna in local research on trust in regulatory authorities by identifying factors which contribute to trust to form a theoretical framework. By testing these factors through questionnaires, interviews with practioners and the formulation of a trust Index, this research seeks to obtain a snapshot of trust by creating a baseline to measure trust scores, which can be applied in future research by academia and practioners. This is delivered by presenting arguments which highlight the need to measure trust in public authorities in order to achieve social capital, to promote participation and to improve the environment.