Research Output
Nothing but symbolic: Chinese new authoritarianism, smart government, and the challenge of multi-level governance
  This study investigates the impact of Chinese new authoritarian principles on the approach to multi-level governance that China has implemented during the national transition to smart government. Employing a case study analysis, we illustrate the phenomenon of symbolic compliance, where sub-national public and private actors comply with state-level mandates but while being aware that their actions will fall short of achieving the desired improvements. This behavior, hitherto undocumented in the literature, contributes to the implementation of data-driven public service management solutions that inadequately address local governmental issues. Our findings prompt a re-evaluation of multi-level governance theory and practice in new authoritarian settings and underscore the need for a more pragmatic approach to smart government transitions in such contexts.

  • Type:

    Article

  • Date:

    31 October 2023

  • Publication Status:

    Published

  • Publisher

    Elsevier BV

  • DOI:

    10.1016/j.giq.2023.101880

  • ISSN:

    0740-624X

  • Funders:

    European Commission

Citation

Zhang, J., & Mora, L. (2023). Nothing but symbolic: Chinese new authoritarianism, smart government, and the challenge of multi-level governance. Government Information Quarterly, 40(4), Article 101880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2023.101880

Authors

Keywords

Public administration, Digital transformation, Smart government, Multi-level governance, New authoritarianism, Symbolic compliance, China

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