ABSTRACTRepresentative bureaucracy studies have explored the potential impact of symbolic representation on clients' attitudes and behaviors, even in the absence of direct action by bureaucrats. Through four original conjoint experiments conducted with a nationally representative sample of 1600 participants in China, we analyze the symbolic representation effects of five most commonly observable identity signals, including gender, age, accent, party affiliation, and human voice (versus AI chatbot), across two types of bureaucrat‐initiated contacts and two types of client‐initiated contacts. Our findings contribute to the existing literature by demonstrating that identity congruence has heterogeneous symbolic representation effects; clients' expectations about active representation serve as a significant mediating factor influencing their willingness to cooperate with bureaucrats.

Abstract Psychological distance theory and social value theory suggest there is a risk difference in self versus other decision‐making. On this basis, this study explores whether public officials' risk preferences differ in self versus public decision‐making. Inspired by prospect theory, the decision framing and bet size are further considered as the decision‐making conditions. Through a survey experiment using Chinese public officials, this study finds that, compared with decision‐making for themselves, public officials have a lower risk preference in decision‐making for the public. In addition, this risk preference difference occurs under the conditions of a gain frame and larger bet size. Conversely, under the condition of a loss frame and smaller bet size, the risk preference difference disappears. This study reveals public officials' risk pattern in self versus public decision‐making, which has significant implications for managing risk in public decision‐making and guiding those officials to make better decisions for the public.

Abstract Emergency budgets have become indispensable fiscal tools for governments around the world to cope with disasters, but how governments determine the size of emergency budgets and to what extent such budgets are effective remain unclear. Drawing on organizational learning theory and using data collected from 30 provinces in China, we conduct a series of panel regression analysis and robustness checks to investigate the determinants and impact of emergency budgets. We find that both prior disaster experience and government fiscal ability as measured by budget surplus are positively related to the size of subnational governments' emergency budgets, but the interaction effect between the two is negative. Moreover, while emergency budgets can help maintain the level of government budget surplus, they only play a limited role in moderating the negative impact of disaster damage on governments' fiscal ability. In particular, this study reveals the importance of socioeconomic environment and organizational capacity for the decision‐making process and outcomes of emergency budgets, suggesting that subnational governments should always adopt a holistic approach and improve their financial preparedness for future emergencies by incorporating more information from past disasters and considering diverse drivers of the complex dynamics among emergency budgets, disaster experience, and government fiscal ability.

Abstract There is considerable investment by government policymakers in supporting pilot innovation in public services, following which pilots prove difficult to sustain. Our 4‐year longitudinal study of three pilot innovations in England, which seek to support the transition of care leavers into adulthood, provides insight into how such pilots can be sustained. Conceiving innovation as a journey, our study first identifies the dynamics of innovation around five key ingredients: the role of senior managers in cultivating a receptive context for innovation, distributed leadership, user co‐production, measurement of outcomes, and innovation adaption. Second, our study highlights some ingredients are more important as implementation of innovation is initiated and may fade in importance as the innovation journey proceeds. Third, our study shows innovation ingredients are shaped by organizational contingencies of performance and financial pressures. Finally, we suggest a need for a contextualized implementation science framework to examine innovation in social care.

Abstract Different from common knowledge on central–local information asymmetry, this study focuses on reverse information asymmetry, in which local governments may lack information on the intentions and resolve of the central government. Such information asymmetry can lead to a loss–loss scenario, wherein central‐government‐designed policies are eroded and local governments are punished. Arguably, with a multiwave inspection scheme, the central government can credibly signal its emphasis on certain policies and intentions to punish noncompliance, deterring yet‐to‐be‐inspected local governments. This argument is examined with China's Central Environmental Protection Inspection (CEPI) policy. Empirically, the CEPI policy can reduce pollution in the long run. Moreover, the credible signals generated by the previously completed inspection waves, which encourage local governments to rectify environmental regulations proactively, are essential. Furthermore, the strength of local compliance with central signaling largely depends on the hierarchical and geographical distances from the signaling source to the receiver.Chinese Abstract不同于对中央和地方政府间信息不对称的一般认识, 本研究关注中央和地方政府间的逆向信息不对称现象, 即地方政府可能缺乏对于中央政府意图和决心的了解。上述信息不对称的存在可能导致中央政府制定的政策无法得到有效落实, 同时地方政府由于未妥善履职而受到惩罚的双输局面。本研究指出, 通过分批次的督察机制, 中央政府可以就其对某些政策的重视程度和惩罚违规行为的决心发出可信的信号, 从而对尚未接受督察的地方政府形成有效威慑。本文以中国中央环境保护督察政策为例检验上述理论。实证结果表明, 长期来看中央环保督察政策可以有效控制污染。其核心机制在于, 已完成的督察批次所产生的可信信号, 可以激励其他地方政府主动改善环境规制, 形成对信号的有效响应。此外, 研究还发现地方政府对中央政府政策信号的响应强度取决于信号源的科层距离和地理距离。

Abstract This study proposes an organization–person framework and examines whether management of public officials shapes capable young elites' preferences of government jobs. Using a conjoint experiment in China, we find that monetary and nonmonetary traits of governments jobs alter capable young elites' motivations to engage in public service. In particular, merit‐based selection rule and high wages attract more capable young elites to serve in public services. In contrast, campaign‐style corruption investigation may deter them from serving in government. Furthermore, the effects of civil service management are contingent upon individuals' attributes. Individuals with political connections are less likely to prefer merit‐based selection rules and more likely care about the economic return on government jobs, but intensive corruption investigation is more likely to crowd out those with weak public service motivation.

Abstract Legislatures face difficult challenges holding modern bureaucratic democracies to account due to the scale, complexity, and diverse impacts on citizens' lives. One way that democracies bridge the gap between the legislature and executive is through financial accounts of government departments. This paper examines whether financial accounts are trusted by MPs in the UK Parliament for purposes of transparency in the service of accountability. The article does this through examination of two linked inquiries by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee at the UK House of Commons. The article argues that transparency, accountability, and trust are involved in a rhizomatic relationship where each is related to the other without a hierarchy between them. The article uses a framework proposed by Oomsels and Bouckeart to show the accounts are not trusted, which has implications both for the accounts as a tool of accountability and for creating transparency.

Abstract In the midst of ongoing crises, understanding how citizens perceive administrative crisis management is more relevant than ever. Combining organizational literature with insights from legitimacy research, this article scrutinizes how the public evaluates governance decisions concerning prominent crisis management dilemmas: flexibility versus stability, inclusion versus exclusion, and equity‐based versus needs‐based resource distribution. The paper argues that flexible, inclusive, and equity‐based governance decisions are generally perceived as more legitimate. However, governance decisions are also associated with adverse effects that can mitigate any initially positive effect on legitimacy. The argument is tested in a large‐scale randomized survey experiment in the context of a migration crisis, where governance decisions were manipulated. The findings support the expectations for inclusive crisis management and equity‐based resource distribution, which are perceived as the most legitimate governance alternatives. Internal adaptations of administrative practices toward more flexible and adaptive solutions, however, are perceived less legitimate than stable governmental action.

The article centers on the increasing significance of public involvement in decision-making procedures concerning urban infrastructure development. The author’s research is based on expert evaluations, data analysis from the Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development, and the findings of sociological surveys by the autonomous non-profit organization “Moscow Urban Forum” and the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM). Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant link between the number of public transportation initiatives and infrastructure development indicators. The author has created suggestions for enhancing the public expertise mechanisms in transportation projects. According to the study, the Moscow transportation system has undergone a multifaceted and intricate transformation within the period from 2010 to 2020. All of the transportation infrastructure’s essential components have seen significant changes. The length of metro lines, the availability of public transportation systems, and the modernization of railway vehicles are just a few examples of how the Russian capital shows growth rates. This allows us to discuss how Moscow’s transport system transformation strategy aligns with the best international practices. To maintain the favorable trend, the heads of the concerned departments should keep up with their efforts on clean fuel usage, electric vehicle development, and non-motorized mobility promotion.