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Does local official stress hurt regional economic development? Survey evidence from Chinese grassroot cadres

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  • Du, Zhi-Li
  • Kong, Wei
  • Chang, Chun-Ping

Abstract

Amid concerns that high levels of stress among local officials may impede effective governance and economic strategies, this study aims to explore the direct impact of such stress on efforts to enhance regional economic development. Thus, this study conducts interviews with 957 grassroots cadres, the local officials in western China, to examine the influence of their psychological stress on the initiative to promote regional economic development (hereafter shortened to the growth-promoting initiative), which reveals an inverted U-shaped relationship between grassroots cadres' psychological stress and their growth-promoting initiatives. The sense of mission strengthens the relationship between stress and growth-enhancing initiative. Conversely, the psychological contract does not significantly affect this relationship. These findings provide valuable guidance for addressing the psychological stress of Chinese grassroot cadre, refining organizational management, tailoring incentive systems, and ultimately catalyzing regional economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Du, Zhi-Li & Kong, Wei & Chang, Chun-Ping, 2024. "Does local official stress hurt regional economic development? Survey evidence from Chinese grassroot cadres," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 978-989.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:83:y:2024:i:c:p:978-989
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2024.08.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Grassroot cadre; Psychological stress; Growth-promoting initiative; Sense of mission; Psychological contract;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • H83 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Public Administration
    • N95 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Asia including Middle East
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights

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