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Accountability in Public Organization: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda

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  • Yangyang Fan

    (East China Normal University)

Abstract

This study presents a systematic review of accountability research in public organizations based on automated text analysis, aiming to examine the overarching framework and developmental trajectory of accountability in the public sector. A total of 518 articles and 392 empirical studies were systematically analyzed separately using text mining with Leximancer. The study provides knowledge graphs of accountability research and explores the intellectual foundations, research topics, context, and methods of the accountability literature. The research findings offer a comprehensive overview of accountability research in public organizations, highlighting key trends and gaps. Additionally, the study proposes specific recommendations for future research, emphasizing the importance of theoretical and methodological contributions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yangyang Fan, 2025. "Accountability in Public Organization: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 295-310, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:porgrv:v:25:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11115-024-00792-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11115-024-00792-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zachary Spicer, 2017. "Bridging the accountability and transparency gap in inter-municipal collaboration," Local Government Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(3), pages 388-407, May.
    2. Jonathan Lupson & David Partington, 2011. "Individual Civil Servants' Conceptions Of Accountability," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(7), pages 895-918, October.
    3. Anna Mdee & Andrew Mushi, 2021. "Untangling blame and responsibility for service delivery and local governance performance: testing a grounded social accountability approach in Tanzania," Local Government Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(6), pages 993-1013, November.
    4. Sjors Overman & Thomas Schillemans & Stephan Grimmelikhuijsen, 2021. "A validated measurement for felt relational accountability in the public sector: gauging the account holder’s legitimacy and expertise," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(12), pages 1748-1767, December.
    5. Marija Aleksovska & Thomas Schillemans & Stephan Grimmelikhuijsen, 2019. "Lessons from five decades of experimental and behavioral research on accountability: A systematic literature review," Journal of Behavioral Public Administration, Center for Experimental and Behavioral Public Administration, vol. 2(2).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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