Unpacking Resilience in Public Administration: Insights From a Meta-Narrative Review

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Li, Jixiang; Tang, Shui-Yan; Wen, Bo
• 署名单位: University of Macau; University of Southern California
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352; 1540-6210
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.70083
• 发表日期: 2026-09
• 页码: 1235-1254
• 关键词: GOVERNANCE; immediate and slow-moving disturbances; meta-narrative review; polycentrism; resilience; Crisis management; organizational resilience; HIGH-RELIABILITY; emergency; security; POLICY; work

摘要

Increasing environmental complexity and uncertainty have made organizational resilience a key concern in public administration. Yet its inherent ambiguity calls for a systematic examination of its conceptualizations, operationalizations, and applications. This meta-narrative review synthesizes 49 studies, advancing the discourse by identifying three distinct narratives-maintenance, recovery, and adaptability-and exploring how they intersect when public institutions encounter acute shocks versus slow-burn disturbances. Our analysis further identifies networking and collaboration as the most frequently studied antecedents of resilience, followed by digital technology and leadership. Resilience outcomes are also highlighted-continuous service delivery, enhanced public policy value, and strengthened institutional identity. A key epiphany emerges: Resilience is not merely about responding to crises but also about embedding strategic principles into long-term governance-balancing top-down authority with decentralized decision-making to functionally and structurally address short-term needs and long-term transformation. We conclude by identifying implications for research, practice, and education.