Chinese Public Sector Research Articles

Impact of Information Characteristics on Information Adoption and Public Sector Organizations Success in the China

The quality of information is a significant feature for organizational success which policymakers and researchers must emphasize in building up strategies. The present study examines information characteristics such as information quality, information quantity and information credibility on public sector organizations success in China. The study also investigates the mediating role of information adoption among information quality, information quantity, information credibility and public sector organizations success in China. The survey questionnaires were used to gather the primary data from the respondents. The respondents comprised a sample size of 357 employees of Chinese public sector organizations, chosen through random sampling technique. Smart-PLS was used to measure data validity and nexus among constructs. The results revealed that the information quality, information quantity and information credibility have a positive association with public sector organizations success in China. The outcomes also exposed that the information adoption significantly mediates among information quality, information quantity, information credibility and public sector organizations success in China. It is hoped that the findings of this study will help policymakers and strategists to frame policies and guidelines to achieve the organization success by using high quality information.

Capturing the Asymmetrical Effect of Macroeconomic Factors on Public-Sector Innovation in Chinese Local Government: A Dynamic Technology Forecasting Approach

Despite the considerable investments in Chinese public sector innovation in China and its social impact, there is insufficient information on how asymmetries in macroeconomic factors and business cycles affect public sector innovation. Based on provincial data from thirty regions (2000–2016), the study proposes a dynamic model to capture the asymmetrical impact of macroeconomic factors on local government innovation. The innovation-based predictive model indicated that a positive shock to macro-economic factors (i.e., gross domestic product, government administration expenditures, provincial degree of openness in economies, provincial degree of openness in society, higher education research and development expenditures, local revenue, and local expenditure) upsurge government innovation. In contrast, a negative shock to these factors disrupts local government innovation. Third, the model indicated a pro-cyclical relationship between positive and negative shocks to government administration expenditures and provincial government innovation during the boom and recession periods. The study offers an essential policy tool and some important implications for local government officials, future researchers, and policymakers to understand how cyclic and asymmetric behavior in local government innovation shapes the innovation efficiency of the public sector in China. Subject Classification Codes: O30, O31, O32, 01, O38, O36, O35, O38, P25, Q01, H72.

Effect of empowering leadership on employees' workplace loneliness: a moderated mediation model.

Workplace loneliness has become a prevalent experience among employees in organizations; however, there is limited empirical research on how leaders can address and mitigate this issue. Drawing upon self-determination theory and empowering leadership theory, this study examines the impact of empowering leadership on workplace loneliness by exploring the mediator of role breadth self-efficacy and the moderator of leader-member conversational quality. A time-lagged research design was used, collecting data through a two-wave online survey involving 531 employees in Chinese public sectors. The participants consisted of 321 males and 210 females, with an average age of 35 years (SD = 7.36). Our findings indicate that empowering leadership positively influences employees' role breadth self-efficacy, reducing their workplace loneliness. Moreover, leader-member conversational quality strengthens this indirect effect, suggesting that empowering leadership is more effective in reducing workplace loneliness when leader-member conversational quality is high. This study expands and enriches research on the antecedents of workplace loneliness from the leadership approach, providing valuable insights for organizations to implement interventions that effectively alleviate employees' workplace loneliness.

Greening the Workplace: Examining the Relationship Between Green Talent Management and Pro-Environmental Behaviors in Chinese Public Sectors

In pursuing sustainable development within the public sector, cultivating pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) among employees becomes paramount. While existing literature underscores the positive impact of PEBs on organizational innovation and performance, the mechanisms through which public sector organizations can effectively mobilize such behaviors remain inadequately examined. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, this study addresses the gap in the literature by examining the association between talent management strategies and PEBs, particularly emphasizing the emerging concept of green talent management. Based on survey data collected from 346 employees working in Chinese public sectors, there is a positive relationship between green soft talent management and employees’ PEBs, and green psychological capital is a crucial mediator. Furthermore, this study unveils the constructive moderating role of green transformational leadership in the association between green soft talent management and PEBs. The findings carry valuable theoretical and practical implications for implementing green talent management strategies.

Differences in socio-demographics status, risk behaviours, healthcare uptake and HIV/ sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between brothel-based and street-based female sex workers in Yunnan, China.

Heterosexual contact is the primary mode of HIV transmission in China and commercial sex is thought to play a crucial role in China's epidemic. Female sex workers (FSWs) in China tend to be either brothel-based (BSWs) or street-based (SSWs), but few studies have investigated the differences between these important segments of this difficult-to-reach, high-risk population. Our aim was to explore the differences between SSWs and BSWs in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, sexual and risky practices, HIV/STI-related knowledge, health services, HIV/STI prevalence and other aspects. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Yunnan Province of China in partnership with a local FSW-friendly non-governmental organization. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, sex work history, sexual behaviours, HIV/STI-related knowledge, HIV testing history, and healthcare services uptake. Blood samples were taken for HIV and syphilis testing, and urine samples for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate differences between SSWs and BSWs. A total of 185 BSWs and 129 SSWs were included in the study. SSWs were older and less educated, had more dependents and more clients, lower condom use and accessed fewer healthcare services. Moreover, 37.2% of SSWs and 24.9% of BSWs were found to have HIV/STI infection. Unfortunately, the awareness related to STIs was relatively low in both groups, especially SSWs. Our study provides evidence that confirms the disproportionately high vulnerability of SSWs to HIV and other STIs, underscoring the urgent need for the Chinese health and public health sectors to prioritize outreach to SSWs. Awareness and educational programs, condom distribution, testing and health check-ups should be included in a comprehensive strategy for HIV/STI prevention in this high-risk population.

The CSR perspective: Interplay of technological innovation, ethical leadership and government regulations for sustainable financial performance.

The financial performance of Chinese public and private sector banks is changing over time. There is no stability in the financial performance of Chinese banks which hurts businesses and the market. The purpose of current research was to determine the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on driving the sustainable financial performance of Chinese banks. From methodological perspective, data was collected from 329 banking sector employees from China to partial least square-structural equation model (PLS-SEM) is employed for data analysis. The research used SPSS 24 and Smart PLS 4 as statistical analysis tools. This research confirmed that achieving sustainability in financial performance for Chinese banks can be achieved with CSR influenced by technological innovation, ethical leadership, and government regulations. This research has statistically confirmed that transformational leadership leading to CSR with technological innovation, ethical leadership, and government regulations can make significant improvements in financial performance. The framework developed by current research is a novel contribution to the literature. The findings of this research improve the literature on the banking sector and advanced performance. Furthermore, this research has highlighted significant ways that can help the banking sector employees to improve their financial performance with sustainability.

Exploring the employment motivation, job satisfaction and dissatisfaction of university English instructors in public institutions: a Chinese case study analysis

This study considers the important areas of language teacher employment motivation, job satisfaction and dissatisfaction in state universities in China. This is an area in which there is a distinct lack of research studies. Through an exploratory case study analysis, and depth enlightening interviews, this paper considers the experiences of two outwardly successful doctorate status educators, examining their early career motives and subsequent employment satisfaction and dissatisfaction. It finds that these English instructors were driven by a diverse range of extrinsic motives to work in the Chinese public university sector. They were largely satisfied with their jobs, but they also reported dissatisfaction in certain areas. For example, they appreciated the teaching loads and respect afforded to university teachers, but harboured worries about their longer-term professional development. The study also reveals the different treatment and concerns experienced by home and expatriate university English teachers working in China. There are implications for a wide range of important pedagogic and professional areas. These range from teacher wellbeing and mental health to development and training, career management and leadership practice. On a more macro level still, there are also potential implications for institutional human resource governance.

Do ‘humble’ leaders help employees to perform better? Evidence from the Chinese public sector

AbstractHumility is crucial for public sector leaders as it enables them to recognise their inadequacies and acknowledge others’ competencies in complex external environments. Despite its benefits, our knowledge of the influence of leader humility in the public sector remains limited. This study provides insights into how and when leader humility influences employee performance in public sectors. Based on Self‐Determination Theory, this article posits that leader humility enhances the leader's perception of employee performance by promoting intrinsic motivation. Moreover, drawing on Dominance Complementarity Theory, it is revealed that the above effect is stronger when the employee has a highly proactive personality. To assess the mechanism and boundary condition of leader humility on the perception of employee performance, our study uses a two‐wave multi‐source survey of 136 leader–employee dyads amongst public sector workers located in north‐eastern China. The results are consistent with our theoretical predictions. We discuss implications for understanding how public leader humility influences employees’ motivation and subsequent performance, and how a leader's character and an employee's personality may enhance desirable outcomes.Points for practitioners Humble public leaders can satisfy their followers’ basic self‐determining psychological needs and improve followers’ intrinsic motivations. Since humble public leaders care more about others and can minimise the effect of leader–follower power imbalances, facilitate frequent interactions, and spotlight followers’ unique abilities, they tend to enhance the followers’ job performance through their increased intrinsic motivation. Humble public leaders are non‐hierarchical and power equalising. They could positively interact with proactive followers who tend to take the initiative to get things done. The interaction facilitates followers’ higher intrinsic motivation and job performance.

Public sector jobs and subjective well-being in China

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on demonstrating the nexus between public sector jobs and subjective well-being by applying China Household Finance Survey data and exploring the potential transmission channels behind the connection. An instrumental variable and the propensity score matching methods are utilized to address hidden endogeneity bias. Our findings confirm that Chinese public sector jobs have a constructive effect on SWB. From the perspective of work allowance and marriage-matching, mechanism analysis justifies that working inside the system indirectly affects SWB through receiving higher annual bonuses and marrying people who also work within the system or have a higher education level.

The epidemic of HIV and syphilis and the correlation with substance abuse among men who have sex with men in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

In China, the HIV/AIDS epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been expanding in recent years. Substance abuse in MSM was not well studied as the independent risk factor for HIV and syphilis infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. The present review aimed to determine the correlation between HIV/Syphilis infections and substance abuse and other sexual risk behaviors among MSM. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Wanfang Data, and VIP Chinese Journal Database for relevant articles of quantitative studies published between 2010 and May 31, 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using R software. Pooled estimated of the association-odds ratio, with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random-effects models stratified by study design. Q statistics and I2 were used to measure the heterogeneity. Our meta-analysis included 61,719 Chinese MSM from 52 eligible studies. The pooled HIV prevalence rate among substance-abusing MSM was 10.0% (95% CI = 0.08-0.13). Substance abusers were more likely to have a higher prevalence of HIV (OR = 1.59) and syphilis (OR = 1.48) infections than non-substance abusers. Substance abusers were also more likely to seek sexual partners through the internet or social media applications (OR = 1.63), engage in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) (OR = 1.69), group sex (OR = 2.78), and engage in commercial intercourse (OR = 2.04) compared to non-users. Regarding testing behaviors, substance abusers had a higher proportion of HIV or STI testing in their lifetime (OR = 1.70) compared with non-substance abusers (p < 0.05). They were also more likely to have had more sexual partners (≥2; OR = 2.31) and more likely to have consumed alcohol (OR = 1.49) in the past 6 months. Our study shows the correlation between substance abuse and HIV/Syphilis infection. Eliminating disparities in HIV/Syphilis infection among substance abusing men who have sex with men (MSM) can be achieved if the Chinese government and public health sectors could provide targeted knowledge popularization and diagnosis interventions among high-risk populations.

Disclosing the relationship between public service motivation and job satisfaction in the Chinese public sector: A moderated mediation model.

Despite the relationship between public service motivation and job satisfaction is widely discussed, rare studies explore the theoretical mechanism of this relationship. Through integrating public service motivation, role overload, job satisfaction, and marital status, this study explores psychological mechanisms and boundary conditions of the relationship between public service motivation and job satisfaction. Data was collected from 349 public employees in eastern China. Empirical results reveal that public service motivation is positively related to job satisfaction by decreasing role overload. Moreover, marital status moderates the relationship between role overload and job satisfaction, as well as moderates the indirect effect of public service motivation on job satisfaction through role overload. These findings advance our understanding of the psychological mechanism and conditional effect of PSM in relation to job satisfaction and provide valuable insights into how to improve public employees' well-being.

Pension gap between the Chinese public and nonpublic sectors： evidence in the context of the integration of dual-track pension schemes

Using the 2013, 2015 and 2018 waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this paper analyzes the pension gap between the public and nonpublic sectors and its evolution in the context of the 2014 reform, which is designed to integrate the dual-track pension system. Applying the decomposition method based upon unconditional quantile regressions developed by Firpo et al. (2009), we find that public sector retirees enjoy pension advantages over their counterparts in the nonpublic sectors across the distribution, ceteris paribus, and the advantage decreased between 2013 and 2015, then increased between 2015 and 2018 after the reform. Both the explained and unexplained differential have significantly contributed to the sectoral pension gap over time. Comparing 2015 with 2018, the contribution of the unexplained differential increases substantially across the distribution. This is partly due to the transitional arrangements that have been made to secure the pension income levels of public sector retirees, which left the fairness of the pension system unimproved after the reform. The advantages of public sector retirees in terms of human and political capital over their peers in nonpublic sectors serve as the main contributors to the explained pension gap, thus indicating that the differences in individual investment in the early stages of the lifecycle should be considered when explaining the sectoral pension gap.

The Reform of Human Resource System in the Public Sector under the New Public Management System

The work presented in this paper focuses on New Public Management (NPM) and the public human resource management system. New Public Management (NPM), which has been used in the West for a number of years, is currently being implemented in China to manage various government departments. China is aware of the benefits that NPM may bring to the management of the government. In the context of New Public Management, departments of public human resources will also need to undergo transformations in order to improve talent management and recruitment efforts. This paper identifies the problems with public sector human resource management, including but not limited to the following: the focus of Chinese public sector personnel on achieving public sector goals at the expense of personal goals; the unfairness of recruitment principles due to human relations, which is not conducive to the rational allocation of talent and leads to brain drain; and the outdated management style, problematic promotion system, and inadequate incentives in China's public administration. Increasing the effectiveness of the performance evaluation process is one way to solve these shortcomings. These deficiencies can be rectified by enhancing the performance appraisal mechanism, establishing a flexible system for workers, and aiming for maximum efficiency in order to improve the difficulties in the public sector. This paper offers some references for the improvement of talent management in public organizations.

Mechanisms underlying the effect of occupational stressors on public servants' organizational citizenship behavior

We explored the effect of stimulating organizational citizenship behavior from the perspective of occupational stressors, as well as the roles of employees' perceived organizational support and public service motivation as a mediator and moderator, respectively, of this relationship. Participants were 257 public servants in China, who completed questionnaires assessing the variables of interest. Results of structural equation modeling revealed that challenge stressors positively affected organizational citizenship behavior, whereas hindrance stressors negatively affected organizational citizenship behavior. Public service motivation mediated the relationship between the two forms of occupational stressors (challenge and hindrance) and organizational citizenship behavior. Additionally, perceived organizational support positively moderated the direct and indirect effects of challenge stressors on public service motivation, and also negatively moderated the direct and indirect effect of hindrance stressors on public service motivation. This research has theoretical and practical meaning for management in the Chinese public sector.

Using Grounded Theory to Identify Online Public Opinion in China to Improve Risk Management-The Case of COVID-19.

During the outbreak of COVID-19, online public opinion related to the epidemic was rapidly generated and developed rapidly. If some online public opinions cannot be effectively responded to and guided, it will bring risks to social order. The government should understand how to use information on social media to grasp public demands, provide useful information in a timely manner and take countermeasures. Studying the formation mechanism of online public opinion during the outbreak can help the government make scientific decisions and improve risk management capabilities. The research selects the public opinion information of online platforms represented by WeChat, online communities, Sina Weibo and search engines, involving 75 relevant texts (1 January to 31 March 2022). According to the grounded theory method, using the QSR NVivo12 qualitative research software, the collected network texts were successively researched using open coding, axial coding and theoretical coding. The structure of online public opinion during the COVID-19 epidemic was obtained. The operation mechanism of the online public opinion system about COVID-19 was mainly affected by the interaction of online public opinion objects, online public opinion subjects, online public opinion intermediaries and government forces. It was based on social facts and citizens' appeals as the starting point, subject behaviors and prevention and control measures as the focus, government's governance as macro-control and citizens' evaluation as the guide. Scientific analysis of online public opinion is an important tool to identify and manage risks and improve the quality of government activities. Online public opinion has the function of assisting government decision-making, and the government can identify the important information reflected in it, especially the mainstream public opinion, as a reference for decision-making. By taking effective measures and properly responding to citizens' reasonable demands, the government can prevent social risks and avoid new negative public opinions. Contributions: According to the characteristics of the basic model of online public opinion, this study provides risk mitigation suggestions for Chinese public sectors to use online public opinion, optimize epidemic prevention policies and formulate strategic measures.

Information technology use and creativity in Chinese public sector employees: Work engagement as a mediator

Although an environment conducive to igniting the creativity of employees continues to be promoted in the Chinese public sector, little is yet known about the relationship between the use of information technology (IT) for work in the sector and employee creativity. We obtained data from 232 Chinese public sector employees to examine the relationship of their IT use and their creativity, and the mediating role of work engagement in this relationship. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The results show that the employees' IT use for work was positively related to their creativity through the mediator of work engagement. Thus IT use for work enhanced work engagement, and this, in turn, facilitated creativity. Our study offers practical guidance for the enhancement of employee creativity in the Chinese public sector.

The Impact of Public Service Motivation on Job Satisfaction in Public Sector Employees: The Mediating Roles of Work Engagement and Organizational Commitment

In the public service sector, staff’s motivation is of great significance for the developments of both the service team and the governmental service departments. This research develops a model to study the effects of public service motivation on job satisfaction and further assesses the mediation effects of work engagement and organizational commitment. Five-hundred and fifty employees from Chinese public service sectors were engaged in the questionnaire-based study. The results show that public service motivation plays important roles in work engagement, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. Furthermore, work engagement and organizational commitment are the factors to mediate public service motivation and job satisfaction. Therefore, our findings suggest that staff in the public sector with enhanced public service motivation generally appear more involved in their work, are more loyal to their organizations, and demonstrate more positive work attitudes to improve productivity.

Perceived fit, entrepreneurial passion for founding, and entrepreneurial intention

While prior research affirmed a positive link between entrepreneurial passion (EP) and entrepreneurial intention (EI), some moderators have been examined—suggesting potential boundary conditions on such a relationship. This study introduces perceived person–entrepreneurship fit to EP literature and suggests that it moderates the EP–EI relationship. The research was conducted at a major Chinese public sector university that includes a survey. Results revealed that EI is highly influenced by EP for founding when a strong perception of fit with entrepreneurship is attained. Conversely, if one perceives a low-level fit or no fit, then EI is low regardless of EP.

Exploring the Antecedents to the Reputation of Chinese Public Sector Organizations During COVID-19: An Extension of Situational Crisis Communication Theory.

The study is intended to examine the impact of crisis responsibility on the reputation of the Chinese public sector organization during the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to that, the study has also examined the mediating role of crisis response strategy in the relationship between crisis responsibility and the reputation of the Chinese public sector organization during the COVID-19 crisis. Lastly, the study has also examined the moderating role of internal crisis communication in the relationship between the crisis responsibility and crisis response strategy of the Chinese public sector organization during COVID-19. This study bases on a quantitative research approach along with a cross-sectional research design. The population of the study is the Chinese public sector organization companies. Data is collected from the employees working in Chinese public sector organizations. The current study used 500 sample sizes; 205 valid responses are received which were used in data analysis. The SEM-PLS is used for the data analysis. The result of the study indicates that all the direct hypotheses are accepted significantly, which indicates that the crisis responsibility and crisis response strategy are significant determinants of organizational reputation during the COVID-19. In a similar vein, the crisis responsibility has placed a significant impact on the crisis response strategy of Chinese organizations during COVID-19. The study is among the pioneer studies on crisis responsibility in the Chinese public sector organization during COVID-19. The study has employed an extended framework encircling the literature on crisis responsibility, crisis response strategy, internal crisis communication, and organizational reputation. Theoretically, the study has extended the situational crisis communication theory framework by incorporating internal crisis communication in the framework.

Pension Gap between Chinese Public and Non-Public Sectors: Evidence in a Context of the Integration of Dual-Track Pension Schemes

Pension Gap between Chinese Public and Non-Public Sectors: Evidence in a Context of the Integration of Dual-Track Pension Schemes