Jiannan Wu
Biographic Data
| ID | 4158120 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Jiannan Wu |
| GIVEN NAMES | Jiannan |
| FAMILY NAME | Wu |
| SIGNATURE | WU J |
| AFFILIATIONS | Shanghai Jiao Tong University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3171-1169 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 23 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 71 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 23 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2010 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
“Governing the Ungovernable”
Using China Social Survey data matched with city-level data, this study examined the role of “civicness” in the relationship between administrative capacity and COVID-19 governance effectiveness in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mediation analyses indicated that administrative capacity is critical for solving wicked problems. More importantly, civicness played a partially mediating role between administrative capacity and COVID-19 governa…
Enabling and Constraining
Informal rules are an underexplored component of collaborative governance, yet they play a critical role in digital transformation projects. This study examines their functions and constraints through a longitudinal case study of the Hui‐Tian City Brain project in Beijing. Drawing on government documents, media reports, and interviews with officials, IT enterprises, and civil servants, we trace the emergence and evolution of the informal ‘product…
A Blessing or a Curse? Generative AI, Administrative Burdens, and Policy Alienation in Street‐Level Bureaucracy
Can the integration of generative AI into public administration ease administrative burdens in street‐level bureaucracy? This article examines this question through a 6‐month organizational ethnography conducted within a local authority in Shanghai. We find that while generative AI may alleviate certain traditional burdens, it can also paradoxically reinforce existing ones or create new forms. These dynamics, aligned with Moynihan, Herd and Harve…
Promoting citizens’ willingness to participate in coproduction
Policy responsiveness and its administrative organisation in China
Scholarly literature on effective policy responsiveness and its administrative organisation in China remains scant. To address this gap, this article explores the administrative elements that impact policy responsiveness, with particular emphasis on the role of response agencies. The authors propose a theoretical framework that underscores two essential dimensions: political authority and interest homogeneity of response agencies. Using online pe…
Implementation responsiveness
There has been considerable research progress in understanding how governments adapt public policies in response to public opinion. We propose a new concept, ‘implementation responsiveness’, which refers to the extent to which policy implementation is adapted in response to public opinion. By examining documented texts about the actions of Chinese city executive bureaus in response to online public opinions on environmental protection issues, we …
Best practice is not just “best”
This paper proposes five major criteria—importance, innovativeness, effectiveness, sustainability and replicability—for determining best practices in public management. The influence of each criterion on the probability that a judge recommends a case as a best practice is examined using data from the first Best Practice Cases for Urban Governance in the Yangtze River Delta competition. The results show that perceptions of innovativeness, effectiv…
Can NPOs convene collaborative governance in China? —a case of addressing complex water conflicts
Collaborative governance is considered to be a promising solution to solve complex public policy problems. However, in authoritarian states, the initiation and organization of collaborative governance can be challenging as it often faces political and practical constraints. In response to these challenges, some enthusiastic local governments experimented using a third party to act as convenors of collaborative governance in China. This article co…
Can Economic Growth Reduce Public Dissatisfaction? Evidence from a Panel Threshold Model in Chinese Cities
Much is known about the relationship between economic growth and satisfaction, while little is known about the relationship between economic growth and dissatisfaction. This study measures the levels of public dissatisfaction in 36 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2018 using data from an official online petition platform. We construct panel data to analyze the impact of per capita GDP and per capita income on public dissatisfaction. The results show t…
How to satisfy dissatisfied citizens with urban public services? The case from Nanjing, China
Reducing citizen dissatisfaction with public services is a challenge for good urban governance. Using the case of Public Opinion 110 by Nanjing police, this article finds a new method to proactively, accurately, and timely measure citizen satisfaction and improve inadequate services. The findings confirm the importance of efficient two-way communication, the citizen-centered approach, and the combined use of technologies in improving citizen sati…
Coping with black swan and grey rhino
Making cities competitive and sustainable
Under what conditions do governments collaborate? A qualitative comparative analysis of air pollution control in China
Based on the collaborative governance framework, this paper proposes four starting conditions that affect the establishment of intergovernmental collaboration: power imbalance, resource imbalance, prehistory of collaboration and participation of superior levels of government. The interaction of these conditions is tested with collaborative practice among local governments in China to control air pollution. The qualitative comparative analysis res…
Urban governance research at the intersection of public administration and policy
In search of effective and practical urban governance to address crises
Special Issue
In the 21st century, we have seen an increase in activity around making cities “smarter” and “intelligent” through the creative application of information systems. In an ideal world, a smarter (and
How can environmental intervention work during rapid urbanization? Examining the moderating effect of environmental performance-based accountability in China
Can Chinese-style environmental collaboration improve the air quality? A quasi-natural experimental study across Chinese cities
Local government innovation diffusion in China
The performance-based reform programme launched by Fujian province in 2000 has been adopted by many other Chinese provinces, including Zhejiang, Hebei, Anhui and Sichuan, over the past 12 years. This article aims to explore the antecedents of the adoption of this programme, in particular, the effects of senior figures' political promotion incentives and diffusion mechanisms. Specifically, event history analysis based on probit regression is used …
Policy expectation moderates the relationship between merit pay policy effectiveness and public service motivation
We explored how policy expectation influences the relationship between public service motivation (PSM) and perceived merit pay policy effectiveness among public sector employees. Using survey data from 581 Chinese compulsory school teachers, we tested the influence of merit pay policy on PSM using multiple regression analysis. The results demonstrated that the relationship between the perceived effectiveness of merit pay policy and PSM is U-shape…
The Rise of Public Administration in China since 1978
This article examines the rise of the field of Public Administration (PA) in China from 1978 to 2006. It first identifies several major driving forces behind the creation of the field in the country’s reform context for a preliminary analysis; then examines some problems that have emerged from the quick expansion of the field, especially Master of Public Administration programs; finally offers suggestions for the field’s further development. This…
Innovation in the Chinese Public Sector
The article examines more than 80 winners and finalists in the Innovations and Excellence in Chinese Local Governance (IECLG) awards programme between 2001 and 2008. Our results show the main types of innovation in the Chinese public sector to be management, service and collaborative innovation, although instances of technological and governance innovation are emerging. State and party agencies at the city and county levels in eastern China appea…
Future Prospects for Performance Management in Chinese City Governments
Contrasting views are presented on the nature and rationale for public management reforms in China. One school argues that they are strongly influenced by international practice, whereas the other holds that they reflect the characteristics of Chinese politics and administration.The authors explore this proposition in the arena of performance management, where they pay particular attention to whether future prospects for performance management ar…
Innovation in the Chinese Public Sector
The article examines more than 80 winners and finalists in the Innovations and Excellence in Chinese Local Governance (IECLG) awards programme between 2001 and 2008. Our results show the main types of innovation in the Chinese public sector to be management, service and collaborative innovation, although instances of technological and governance innovation are emerging. State and party agencies at the city and county levels in eastern China appea…
Local government innovation diffusion in China
The performance-based reform programme launched by Fujian province in 2000 has been adopted by many other Chinese provinces, including Zhejiang, Hebei, Anhui and Sichuan, over the past 12 years. This article aims to explore the antecedents of the adoption of this programme, in particular, the effects of senior figures' political promotion incentives and diffusion mechanisms. Specifically, event history analysis based on probit regression is used …
Implementation responsiveness
There has been considerable research progress in understanding how governments adapt public policies in response to public opinion. We propose a new concept, ‘implementation responsiveness’, which refers to the extent to which policy implementation is adapted in response to public opinion. By examining documented texts about the actions of Chinese city executive bureaus in response to online public opinions on environmental protection issues, we …
Can Chinese-style environmental collaboration improve the air quality? A quasi-natural experimental study across Chinese cities
Future Prospects for Performance Management in Chinese City Governments
Contrasting views are presented on the nature and rationale for public management reforms in China. One school argues that they are strongly influenced by international practice, whereas the other holds that they reflect the characteristics of Chinese politics and administration.The authors explore this proposition in the arena of performance management, where they pay particular attention to whether future prospects for performance management ar…
How can environmental intervention work during rapid urbanization? Examining the moderating effect of environmental performance-based accountability in China
Policy responsiveness and its administrative organisation in China
Scholarly literature on effective policy responsiveness and its administrative organisation in China remains scant. To address this gap, this article explores the administrative elements that impact policy responsiveness, with particular emphasis on the role of response agencies. The authors propose a theoretical framework that underscores two essential dimensions: political authority and interest homogeneity of response agencies. Using online pe…
Can Economic Growth Reduce Public Dissatisfaction? Evidence from a Panel Threshold Model in Chinese Cities
Much is known about the relationship between economic growth and satisfaction, while little is known about the relationship between economic growth and dissatisfaction. This study measures the levels of public dissatisfaction in 36 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2018 using data from an official online petition platform. We construct panel data to analyze the impact of per capita GDP and per capita income on public dissatisfaction. The results show t…
The Rise of Public Administration in China since 1978
This article examines the rise of the field of Public Administration (PA) in China from 1978 to 2006. It first identifies several major driving forces behind the creation of the field in the country’s reform context for a preliminary analysis; then examines some problems that have emerged from the quick expansion of the field, especially Master of Public Administration programs; finally offers suggestions for the field’s further development. This…
Can NPOs convene collaborative governance in China? —a case of addressing complex water conflicts
Collaborative governance is considered to be a promising solution to solve complex public policy problems. However, in authoritarian states, the initiation and organization of collaborative governance can be challenging as it often faces political and practical constraints. In response to these challenges, some enthusiastic local governments experimented using a third party to act as convenors of collaborative governance in China. This article co…
Making cities competitive and sustainable
Special Issue
In the 21st century, we have seen an increase in activity around making cities “smarter” and “intelligent” through the creative application of information systems. In an ideal world, a smarter (and
Future Prospects for Performance Management in Chinese City Governments
Contrasting views are presented on the nature and rationale for public management reforms in China. One school argues that they are strongly influenced by international practice, whereas the other holds that they reflect the characteristics of Chinese politics and administration.The authors explore this proposition in the arena of performance management, where they pay particular attention to whether future prospects for performance management ar…
Innovation in the Chinese Public Sector
The article examines more than 80 winners and finalists in the Innovations and Excellence in Chinese Local Governance (IECLG) awards programme between 2001 and 2008. Our results show the main types of innovation in the Chinese public sector to be management, service and collaborative innovation, although instances of technological and governance innovation are emerging. State and party agencies at the city and county levels in eastern China appea…
The Rise of Public Administration in China since 1978
This article examines the rise of the field of Public Administration (PA) in China from 1978 to 2006. It first identifies several major driving forces behind the creation of the field in the country’s reform context for a preliminary analysis; then examines some problems that have emerged from the quick expansion of the field, especially Master of Public Administration programs; finally offers suggestions for the field’s further development. This…
Policy expectation moderates the relationship between merit pay policy effectiveness and public service motivation
We explored how policy expectation influences the relationship between public service motivation (PSM) and perceived merit pay policy effectiveness among public sector employees. Using survey data from 581 Chinese compulsory school teachers, we tested the influence of merit pay policy on PSM using multiple regression analysis. The results demonstrated that the relationship between the perceived effectiveness of merit pay policy and PSM is U-shape…
Local government innovation diffusion in China
The performance-based reform programme launched by Fujian province in 2000 has been adopted by many other Chinese provinces, including Zhejiang, Hebei, Anhui and Sichuan, over the past 12 years. This article aims to explore the antecedents of the adoption of this programme, in particular, the effects of senior figures' political promotion incentives and diffusion mechanisms. Specifically, event history analysis based on probit regression is used …
Can Chinese-style environmental collaboration improve the air quality? A quasi-natural experimental study across Chinese cities
Under what conditions do governments collaborate? A qualitative comparative analysis of air pollution control in China
Based on the collaborative governance framework, this paper proposes four starting conditions that affect the establishment of intergovernmental collaboration: power imbalance, resource imbalance, prehistory of collaboration and participation of superior levels of government. The interaction of these conditions is tested with collaborative practice among local governments in China to control air pollution. The qualitative comparative analysis res…
Urban governance research at the intersection of public administration and policy
In search of effective and practical urban governance to address crises
Special Issue
In the 21st century, we have seen an increase in activity around making cities “smarter” and “intelligent” through the creative application of information systems. In an ideal world, a smarter (and
How can environmental intervention work during rapid urbanization? Examining the moderating effect of environmental performance-based accountability in China
How to satisfy dissatisfied citizens with urban public services? The case from Nanjing, China
Reducing citizen dissatisfaction with public services is a challenge for good urban governance. Using the case of Public Opinion 110 by Nanjing police, this article finds a new method to proactively, accurately, and timely measure citizen satisfaction and improve inadequate services. The findings confirm the importance of efficient two-way communication, the citizen-centered approach, and the combined use of technologies in improving citizen sati…
Coping with black swan and grey rhino
Making cities competitive and sustainable
Best practice is not just “best”
This paper proposes five major criteria—importance, innovativeness, effectiveness, sustainability and replicability—for determining best practices in public management. The influence of each criterion on the probability that a judge recommends a case as a best practice is examined using data from the first Best Practice Cases for Urban Governance in the Yangtze River Delta competition. The results show that perceptions of innovativeness, effectiv…
Can NPOs convene collaborative governance in China? —a case of addressing complex water conflicts
Collaborative governance is considered to be a promising solution to solve complex public policy problems. However, in authoritarian states, the initiation and organization of collaborative governance can be challenging as it often faces political and practical constraints. In response to these challenges, some enthusiastic local governments experimented using a third party to act as convenors of collaborative governance in China. This article co…
Can Economic Growth Reduce Public Dissatisfaction? Evidence from a Panel Threshold Model in Chinese Cities
Much is known about the relationship between economic growth and satisfaction, while little is known about the relationship between economic growth and dissatisfaction. This study measures the levels of public dissatisfaction in 36 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2018 using data from an official online petition platform. We construct panel data to analyze the impact of per capita GDP and per capita income on public dissatisfaction. The results show t…
Policy responsiveness and its administrative organisation in China
Scholarly literature on effective policy responsiveness and its administrative organisation in China remains scant. To address this gap, this article explores the administrative elements that impact policy responsiveness, with particular emphasis on the role of response agencies. The authors propose a theoretical framework that underscores two essential dimensions: political authority and interest homogeneity of response agencies. Using online pe…
Implementation responsiveness
There has been considerable research progress in understanding how governments adapt public policies in response to public opinion. We propose a new concept, ‘implementation responsiveness’, which refers to the extent to which policy implementation is adapted in response to public opinion. By examining documented texts about the actions of Chinese city executive bureaus in response to online public opinions on environmental protection issues, we …
Promoting citizens’ willingness to participate in coproduction
“Governing the Ungovernable”
Using China Social Survey data matched with city-level data, this study examined the role of “civicness” in the relationship between administrative capacity and COVID-19 governance effectiveness in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mediation analyses indicated that administrative capacity is critical for solving wicked problems. More importantly, civicness played a partially mediating role between administrative capacity and COVID-19 governa…
Enabling and Constraining
Informal rules are an underexplored component of collaborative governance, yet they play a critical role in digital transformation projects. This study examines their functions and constraints through a longitudinal case study of the Hui‐Tian City Brain project in Beijing. Drawing on government documents, media reports, and interviews with officials, IT enterprises, and civil servants, we trace the emergence and evolution of the informal ‘product…
A Blessing or a Curse? Generative AI, Administrative Burdens, and Policy Alienation in Street‐Level Bureaucracy
Can the integration of generative AI into public administration ease administrative burdens in street‐level bureaucracy? This article examines this question through a 6‐month organizational ethnography conducted within a local authority in Shanghai. We find that while generative AI may alleviate certain traditional burdens, it can also paradoxically reinforce existing ones or create new forms. These dynamics, aligned with Moynihan, Herd and Harve…
Political science (16 works) · Business (15 works) · Economics (12 works) · Corporate governance (11 works) · Public Policy and Administration Research (11 works) · Public Administration (10 works) · China (9 works) · Public Administration (8 works) · E-Government and Public Services (6 works) · Finance (6 works)