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How does policy innovation diffuse among Chinese local governments? A qualitative comparative analysis of River Chief Innovation

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  • Yunxiang Zhang
  • Shichen Wang

Abstract

It is well‐documented that interlocal learning and competition could drive policy innovation diffusion. However, their interconnection in non‐western regimes as China is less explored. Utilizing the method of qualitative comparative analysis on the case of River Chief Innovation, this article intends to explore the multiple conjunctural causation of Chinese policy diffusion and the impacts of central recognition. Our findings suggest that interlocal learning and tournament could intimately stimulate Chinese policy diffusion through different combinations. Different governments would adopt innovation for various reasons in a continuum of diffusion mechanisms, involving the technical learning, the championship‐induced learning, the mandate‐induced learning, and the innovation tournament. Hence, despite the ongoing centralization under Xi, space for local spontaneous learning remains. We also find that central recognition could activate the interlocal tournament and extend the diffusion continuum to the tournament side. Therefore, it facilitates policy diffusion toward governments that lack learning motivations and promotes the local implementation of central preferences.

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  • Yunxiang Zhang & Shichen Wang, 2021. "How does policy innovation diffuse among Chinese local governments? A qualitative comparative analysis of River Chief Innovation," Public Administration & Development, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 41(1), pages 34-47, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:padxxx:v:41:y:2021:i:1:p:34-47
    DOI: 10.1002/pad.1901
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Edoardo Ongaro & Ting Gong & Yijia Jing, 2021. "Public administration, context and innovation: A framework of analysis," Public Administration & Development, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 41(1), pages 4-11, February.
    2. Biao Huang & Jiebing Wu & Li Ye, 2023. "Fiscal decentralization, intergovernmental mobility, and the innovativeness of local governments' policy response in COVID‐19: Evidence from China," Public Administration & Development, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 43(2), pages 196-206, May.
    3. Hemin Song & Zitong Zhao & Arup Varma, 2022. "The Impact of Sustainable Input on Regional Innovation Performance: Moderating Effects of Policy Support and Cultural Value," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Jinyang Li & Chao Xiong & Yunrong Huang, 2024. "How the River Chief System Achieved River Pollution Control: Analysis Based on AGIL Paradigm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-25, February.

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