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The whistle-blower effect vs. the cry-wolf effect: A game analysis framework for collaborative epidemic information
Dehai Liu1, Kun Qian2, Huang Ding3
1School of Public Administration, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China.
Summary
Game theory reveals that government coordination failures during epidemics, like the whistle-blower and cry-wolf effects, can be overcome. Superior accountability and media supervision are key to effective epidemic information governance.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Game Theory
- Information Governance
Background:
- Epidemics from unknown viruses create unpredictability and coordination challenges in government information governance.
- Differing departmental responsibilities can lead to a prisoner's dilemma, causing delayed reporting (whistle-blower effect) or inaction (cry-wolf effect).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze epidemic information governance dynamics using game theory.
- To identify external governance mechanisms that can resolve coordination failures during and after outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Application of game theory to model the interactions between government departments during epidemics.
- Analysis of the impact of superior accountability and media supervision on information sharing and decision-making.
Main Results:
- Strategic coordination of whistle-blowers is crucial for short-term decision-making during outbreaks.
- Optimal levels of superior accountability and media supervision are essential for long-term resolution of the prisoner's dilemma.
- Superior accountability demonstrates faster implementation effectiveness compared to media supervision.
Conclusions:
- The whistle-blower and cry-wolf effects significantly contribute to coordination failures in epidemic information governance.
- Effective epidemic information governance requires strategic coordination between expert and bureaucratic systems.
- Implementing robust superior accountability and media supervision is vital for collaborative and effective responses to unknown virus outbreaks.
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