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Actual versus Perceived Central Bank Transparency : The Case of the European Central Bank

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  • van der Cruijsen, C.A.B.
  • Eijffinger, S.C.W.

    (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management)

Abstract

Central banks have become more and more transparent about their monetary policy making process. In the central bank transparency literature the distinction between actual and perceived central bank transparency is often lacking. However, as perceptions are crucial for the actions of economic agents this distinction matters. A discrepancy between actual and perceived transparency may exist because of incomplete or incorrect transparency knowledge and other (psychological) factors. Even financial experts, the most important channel through which the central bank can influence the economy, might suffer from misaligned perceptions. We investigate the mismatch between actual and perceived transparency and its relevance by analyzing data of a Dutch household survey on the European Central Bank?s transparency. To benefit from higher transparency perceptions the European Central Bank might feel tempted to stress its transparency strengths, but hide its transparency weaknesses.
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Suggested Citation

  • van der Cruijsen, C.A.B. & Eijffinger, S.C.W., 2007. "Actual versus Perceived Central Bank Transparency : The Case of the European Central Bank," Other publications TiSEM 8c4431eb-8f7d-4d38-a8db-3, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:tiu:tiutis:8c4431eb-8f7d-4d38-a8db-382d57f38c9e
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Ehrmann & Sylvester Eijffinger & Marcel Fratzscher, 2012. "The Role of Central Bank Transparency for Guiding Private Sector Forecasts," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 114(3), pages 1018-1052, September.
    2. Stephen G. Cecchetti & Kermit L. Schoenholtz, 2010. "How Central Bankers See It: The First Decade of European Central Bank Policy and Beyond," NBER Chapters, in: Europe and the Euro, pages 327-374, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. van der Cruijsen, C.A.B., 2008. "The economic impact of central bank transparency," Other publications TiSEM 86c1ba91-1952-45b4-adac-8, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. Comanescu , Anton, 2012. "Central Bank Transparency and Monetary Policy Effectiveness," Journal of Money and Economy, Monetary and Banking Research Institute, Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, vol. 6(4), pages 61-88, July.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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