Critical thoughts about critical mass in representative bureaucracy: A theoretical exploration and empirical illustration

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Meier, Kenneth J.; Xu, Xiaoyang
• 署名单位: American University
• 刊物名称: GOVERNANCE-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF POLICY ADMINISTRATION AND INSTITUTIONS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0952-1895
• DOI: 10.1111/gove.12711
• 发表日期: 2023
• 关键词: active representation; distributional equity; GENDER; performance; ETHNICITY; CITIZENS; students; RACE

摘要

Studies of representative bureaucracy frequently reference the need for a critical mass before an underrepresented group can influence policy outputs or outcomes, but the empirical literature is modest and presents mixed findings. This article presents a theoretical exploration to illustrate how critical mass can link individual behavior to organizational contexts. By examining both active representation and symbolic representation at both the individual and organizational level and specifying the different microprocesses of active representation, a series of testable hypotheses are presented. The logic suggests that the concept of critical mass might also be a useful contextual variable to examine other aspects of administrative behavior. Based on the theory, two empirical illustrations from China are presented.