The acceptance of government transformation program (GTP) among urban and rural communities

Government Transformation Program (GTP) is a social innovation program aimed to transform Malaysian public services, and social affairs, such as improving integrity of public servants, national security, education, public transport, rural development and the cost of living in order to increase social wellbeing. The objectives of this study are to identify the differences in the acceptance of social innovation, particularly GTP and to examine factors influencing the acceptance among urban and rural communities. Through this comparison, the government can focus its GTP advocacy in urban and rural areas based on the factors that have been identified. This research used a survey of 200 people around Kuala Lumpur and one of the FELDA settlements in Kulai, Johor. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. In terms of acceptance level, the study found that rural communities are more receptive to GTP compared to urban communities. Factors influencing the acceptance of GTP among these two communities are also different. For the urban communities, the influencing factors are usefulness and self efficacy, while among the rural communities, are compatibility, familiarity and self-efficacy.