Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to analyze the impact of Open Government Data (OGD) on social trust formation in public administration in Kazakhstan, testing the OGD value creation theory in a highly digitalized environment that has not achieved the expected level of public trust. Methodology : The research employs quantitative analysis of data from the Kazakhstan Digital Inclusiveness Survey using R software. Correlation and regression analyses were used to evaluate relationships between socio-demographic factors, platform usage, satisfaction, accessibility, and trust levels. Additionally, thematic content analysis of respondents' open-ended answers was applied. Results : Contrary to expectations, socio-demographic factors minimally impact trust levels in OGD, while service quality and user satisfaction emerge as key determinants. Significant trust disparities were found across digital channels: official websites receive substantially lower ratings (3.448) compared to government social media (8.094) and news sources (9.745). Statistical analysis showed that platform accessibility moderates relationships between certain demographic factors and trust. Originality : The study identifies a novel "circle of trust" mechanism connecting usage frequency, service satisfaction, and trust levels in a self-reinforcing cycle. This concept offers new perspectives on bridging the gap between formal digital platform implementation and public value creation. The findings indicate that for governments seeking to build public trust, merely creating digital platforms is insufficient; they must ensure data reliability and develop verification mechanisms that foster a comprehensive open data ecosystem.