Is hierarchy the only answer? The accountability preferences of Chinese public employees in public service delivery

Bibliographic Data

ID4075211
AuthorsYanwei Li (0000-0002-6928-2478, Qingdao University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume41
Issue3
Pages531-549
Publication date2024-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Policy Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1541-132X • E-ISSN: 1541-1338
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/ropr.12531
OpenAlexW4379162370
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited38

This contribution applies the Q methodology to investigate Chinese public employees' accountability preferences under different accountability relationships in delivering public services. We identify four accountability preferences: a vertically oriented accountability, a network-style accountability, a style of accountability between market and participatory accountability, and a vertically oriented style of market accountability. Our data show that Chinese public employees hold varied accountability preferences in public service delivery, and hierarchy is a relatively popular one. It is suggested that governors should effectively align different accountability relationships with the aim of better steering the behavior of public employees in public service delivery

Accountability · Business · Citizen journalism · Hierarchy · Political science · Public relations · Public service · Service delivery framework · Customer Service Quality and Loyalty · Economic and Environmental Valuation · Public Administration · Q Methodology Applications · Marketing