Building a Chinese Public Administration Knowledge System: Reflecting on Modernity, Post-Modernity and Ultra Post-Modernity

The solution to the problem of autonomous mobile systems navigation is a complex task, traditionally presented in the form of solving the sequence of subtasks: perception of information about the environment, localization and mapping, path planning, and motion control. A large number of scientific works are devoted to the solution of the listed subtasks. However, existing research does not pay enough attention to the integration of individual elements of the navigation cycle solutions into a single homogeneous system. This leads to an additional accumulation of errors in the process of a complex solution to the navigation problem. In previous works, a model was proposed that provides homogeneous integration, using for this a multi-level structure of representing an autonomous system's knowledge in the form of sets of fuzzy rules and facts. The five-level model represents the autonomous system's knowledge of goals, paths, an environment map, strategies, and specific controls necessary to achieve the goal. To ensure adequate processing of fuzzy rules, a modified Takagi-Sugeno-Kang fuzzy inference model is proposed. In this work, the previously proposed model is expanded. The model was tested in conditions of noisy sensor data. A method is proposed for the formation of level 2 rules, which describe an autonomous system's cartographic knowledge about the environment, using the well-known methods of global path planning. Extension of the model provides dynamic paths replanning of the autonomous system, using the processing of present knowledge about existing paths. Such replanning is effective in terms of computational time and independent of the completeness of the knowledge base of complete paths.

Is Public Administration (PA) as a field of study a basic science? If not, could PA generally and Chinese PA (CPA) in particular become a basic science or a design science? To address these questions, this essay reviews pertinent literature to underscore the major problems, basic deficiencies, and critical issues of CPA, and then reviews ongoing CPA research to shed light on its future development. Our review shows that PA lacks an intellectual core that defines the nature of public administration as a professional practice, and in turn, the nature of PA as an academic discipline. Further, while CPA bears the same deficiencies, it also suffers from three maladies, namely, reductionism, traditionalism, and conservatism, which together reinforce mediocrity. In view of all these issues and problems, where CPA is headed? Our literature review reports some ongoing research breakthroughs in CPA, including ontological confirmation of public administration nature and identification of necessary conditions for effective administrative results, which form a basis to suggest that CPA may become a basic science and design science.

Among all speakers, I am the only Chinese, ethnically speaking. So I feel obligated to address the issue of “Chinese” public administration. So what is Chinese public administration (PA)? Some people say it is a politically correct slogan.

In implementing its national strategy to achieve global leadership, China needs a new public administration theory that integrates political administration, economic management and social regulation. Even so, China has already started to promote its brand of political and economic development abroad. Therefore new comparative research and dialogue is called to explore the universality of Chinese and Western public administration ideas.

<p>The paper aims to clarify differences in knowledge sharing mechanisms between Knowledgebased Systems, including knowledge management system, web page-based knowledge, and expert system, in the hope that we can establish an automatic knowledge transfer between autonomous systems. This study lays the foundation for knowledge transfer mechanism where an autonomous Knowledge-based System may enhance its knowledge by using other system's knowledge. To design a knowledge transfer mechanism, the paper do a literature study by comparing three well-known protocols for knowledge sharing, OAI-PMH for knowledge management system, SPARQL for web page-based knowledge, and KQML for the expert system. The object of comparison is within three aspects, first is the ability to find another system, the second is knowledge retrieval from chosen system and third is how to add new knowledge into the system. The paper suggests that each protocol has its own strength and weakness, but when it comes to knowledge transfer, KQML covers more features. Therefore, based on this finding, the paper proposes a new model for autonomous knowledge transfer using KQML to enhance one Knowledge-based System's own knowledge.</p>

A decade ago in this journal, Worthley (1984) argued public administration in People's Republic of China was becoming ripe for comparative analysis. Since then, China has experienced extraordinary economic growth and has initiated major administrative reform efforts in government. Studies of development of Chinese public administration over these years, though few, have been impressive, particularly in view of lack of scholarly attention in previous decades. (See, for example, Laaksonen, 1988; Cabestan, 1192; Tsao, 1993 and Mills and Nagel, 1993.) There has, however, been meager empirical and comparative analysis. This article, based on authors, empirical research over a ten-year period, describes and analyzes development of modern Chinese public administration into 1990s. Our focus is effort in China reform administrative structure during a period of political and economic change, with particular emphasis on civil service system. The analysis is designed contribute on-going process of understanding administrative development across cultures. As will become apparent, we found continuing similarities with historical development of public administration in United States. Civil Service Reform On October 1, 1993, Chinese government marked a milestone in history of its administrative state. On day, it officially adopted Regulations on State Functionaries equivalent of established civil service system of United States a century before. For purposes of comparative analysis, it is important understand process produced this milestone as well as actual substance of reform. Prior this new act, Chinese civil servants were recruited through political channels rather than by open, competitive examination. There was little or no differentiation of personnel among many public service areas. They were all simply called cadre with political party solely responsible for managing them. There were only vague procedures for recruitment, promotion, appraisal, and like (Li, 1990; 164; Manion; 1985, 210), with result administrative proficiency was wanting. As economic reforms of 1970s and 1980s took hold and nation modernized, this became an obstacle continued constructive development. The government's ability manage economic growth was dubious and administrative corruption was growing. In response, 1993 act was conceived provide substantive advancement of routines, rationality, and professionalism in Chinese civil service. Indeed, a comparison with content of Pendleton Act reveals remarkable similarities. Chapter 1 articulates intent of new law: (T)o facilitate scientific management of state functionaries, ensure honesty and enhance administrative efficiency, {article 1}; to purpose of hiring people with both political integrity and ability arid principle of openness, equality, competition and selecting best {article 2}; and that state functionaries perform their duties according and be protected by law {article 4}. Chapter 2 describes duties of civil servants as adherence law, responsiveness masses, impartiality and honesty, deference authority and devotion work {article 6}. Chapter 3 delineates job categories, distinguishing between leadership and nonleadership positions. Fifteen grades are specified {article 10}. Chapter 4 sets forth recruitment procedures including public examinations and Interviews for career, nonleadership positions {article 16}, and preferential treatment for minority applicants article 13. Chapter 5 details appraisal procedures emphasize concrete results of work, article 20. A whole section, chapter 6, is devoted performance rewards stressing the principle of combining spiritual and material encouragement {article 27}. …

Case study is a very common and important research method. It has been widely used in public administration. However, it tends to be questioned, misunderstood and misused in Chinese public administration. The scientific standard of case study method is far beyond establishment in China. In this paper, we try to explain what a case study is and how to use it scientifically, including the definition, characteristics, category, operational steps and quality criteria. We also analyze some common controversy and misunderstanding about case study in Chinese public administration, and point out that, Chinese public administrative case researchers should improve their case research skills, follow scientific procedures and requirements of case study and report case research results scientifically, as they using case study method.

Empirical research involving content analysis of Chinese journal articles has been conducted in the last few years, but the focus has been on the issues and problems of Chinese public administration as a basic social science rather than an applied field. This narrow focus can be misleading. The need to reassess the quality of Chinese PA research is based on three presumptions: that it is a basic science, an applied science, and both. This study attempts to complete the monitoring of progress in knowledge advancement by assessing quality based on an analysis framework that includes an assessment of applied research reports published in Chinese PA journals. The population of articles analyzed comprises 1,123 papers published in Chinese Public Administration (CPA) from 2002 to 2006; further, 300 articles published in 16 journals from 1998 to 2006 were analyzed in the pilot study (but not included here). Specific findings are presented here, in addition to the two principal conclusions: Theorybuilding and knowledge advancement in Chinese PA have been rather problematic, but many studies reported in CPA, when classified as applied research, are valuable, in spite of the defects and shortcomings identified. This article also discusses implications for future research and the development of Chinese PA as a field of study.

Empirical research involving content analysis of Chinese journal articles has been conducted in the last few years, but the focus has been on the issues and problems of Chinese public administration as a basic social science rather than an applied field. This narrow focus can be misleading. The need to reassess the quality of Chinese PA research is based on three presumptions: that it is a basic science, an applied science, and both. This study attempts to complete the monitoring of progress in knowledge advancement by assessing quality based on an analysis framework that includes an assessment of applied research reports published in Chinese PA journals. The population of articles analyzed comprises 1,123 papers published in Chinese Public Administration (CPA) from 2002 to 2006; further, 300 articles published in 16 journals from 1998 to 2006 were analyzed in the pilot study (but not included here). Specific findings are presented here, in addition to the two principal conclusions: Theory-building and knowledge advancement in Chinese PA have been rather problematic, but many studies reported in CPA, when classified as applied research, are valuable, in spite of the defects and shortcomings identified. This article also discusses implications for future research and the development of Chinese PA as a field of study.

Cyberpeace: The Struggle of Civil Society for Radical Democracy and Hegemony in Cyberspace

This paper argues that current research works on Chinese public administration are atheoretical or pre-theoretical, that findings generated could not serve as a basis for the development of a general (or medium-range) theory of Chinese public administration or Chinese bureaucratic behavior, and that atheoretical or pre-theoretical research contributes very little to advancement of usable knowledge for problem-solving. The foci of the discussion in this paper are four major fallacies and problems, namely, over-simplification of causes, misformation of concept, stereotyping, and non-usable knowledge. It is concluded that China scholars should be more theoretically rigorous and work with their counterparts in China in order to contribute to theory-building and practical problem-solving.

The article discusses the methodological problems of innovation, a new branch of knowledge that has both a scientific and applied character, and also explores such a variety of technical and technological innovations as information and digital technologies, which today determine social dynamics and permeate all spheres of human life, putting forward new requirements for their knowledge and skills. The term "digital society" is analyzed in the conceptual grid of such concepts as "post-industrial society" and "information society". In the course of analyzing the features of the digital society and the socio-cultural effects of the development of digital technologies, the authors focus on the analysis of social, cognitive, psychological, and anthropological risks, including the threat of the loss of attributive personality traits. It is substantiated that in the context of increasing trends in the total mediatization of society, the importance of social and humanitarian expertise, which allows assessing the risks posed by information and digital technologies, is of particular importance. The author substantiates the conclusion that it is necessary to institutionalize the mandatory ethical and humanitarian expertise of large innovative projects and the participation of public organizations and civil society in it. The article raises the question of the need to predict undesirable consequences from the introduction of certain technical and technological innovations and the role of the humanities in this process. Particular attention is paid to the little-developed interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research area called "social assessment of technology", a new area of such a branch of philosophy as the philosophy of technology, which has an institutional character in the West but has not yet received sufficient distribution in our country, as well as the "precautionary principle" and various interpretations of its status in those countries where it is included in legislative documents.

An identity crisis has plagued public administration for over a century. The core of the crisis is how to address the relationship between public administration and the three major related disciplines—political science, management, and law; especially the first two—and whether public administration is an independent scientific subject. By studying the discipline identity problem of public administration using the three-perspective framework of politics, management, and law developed by Rosenbloom, this article argues that the developmental history of Chinese public administration is also a history of the relationship between public administration and the three major related disciplines. Furthermore, after comparing United States and Chinese public administration, the article suggests that we can define public administration as a dynamic balance and integrative science across the three major related disciplines by placing greater emphasis on administration, public management, and the laws and rules of administration and public management. This new definition suggests that seeking dynamic balance and synthesis is the nature of public administration, differentiates public administration from other disciplines, and stresses its status as an independent discipline. Thus, we do not need to be frightened of this feature of public administration or reframe it but must instead admit that this unique feature represents a specific advantage of public administration. Furthermore, this view provides a new way to dismiss the nightmare-like identity crisis faced by public administration.

The modernization of the management system and the knowledge management model is needed in the context of the public administration reform, taking into account the concept of decentralization and Good Governance. That is why the article focuses on the author’s approach to substantiating the formation of a modern knowledge system in public management and administration in Ukraine. It is proved that the approach to the knowledge system formation should be based on the identification of the needs of public administration objects. The need to comply with the necessary diversity law for a management subject of public entity regarding its knowledge of the entity has been identified. The content of the principle «from general to specific» for the objects of public administration is considered. The formation structure of the basic knowledge system in the public sphere is presented, which unites a number of blocks. The first block deals with the system of basic knowledge of public management and administration. The second block deals with the idea of a public authorities system at different levels. The third block concerns the formation of basic knowledge about public service. The fourth block concerns the formation of a basic knowledge system about current trends in the development of domestic public administration. The fifth block deals with the knowledge about the development and implementation of public policy and implementation of public administration. The sixth block deals with the consideration of public administration as a deliberate activity to establish internal procedures and processes in public administration to ensure their smooth functioning. The seventh block concerns the knowledge system for ensuring social stability. The eighth block is a glossary of basic terms and the ninth is a bibliography. The proposed approach is the scientific substantiation of the development of educational and professional programs of the basic textbook and standards for the specialty 281 – «Public Management and Administration». Keywords: knowledge, public administration, the necessary diversity law, public policy, public service, public authorities, public stability.

Autonomic systems are required to adapt continually to changing environments and user goals. This process involves the real-time update of the system's knowledge base, which should therefore be stored in a machine-readable format and automatically checked for consistency. OWL ontologies meet both requirements, as they represent collections of knowledge expressed in first order logic, and feature embedded reasoners. To take advantage of these OWL ontology characteristics, this PhD project will devise a framework comprising a theoretical foundation, tools and methods for developing \textit{knowledge-centric} autonomic systems. Within this framework, the knowledge storage and maintenance roles will be fulfilled by a specialised class of OWL ontologies.