The International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration webinar
PhD student Zhu Zi Yuan made a presentation on his research in progress during the International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration webinar. The current research title is “Institutional Comparison of Public Service Models in China, the United States and Russia: Marketization, Centralized Governance and Hybrid Governance in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”.
The study aims to identify which governance arrangements enable effective and equitable public service delivery, examining how historical legacies, governance structures, and AI integration influence efficiency, accessibility, and equity. Zhu Zi Yuan plans to make a comparative analysis of public service delivery models in China, the United States, and Russia, situated within the transformative context of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI). Study examines three distinct institutional models: the market-oriented approach of the United States, the centralized governance model of China, and Russia’s hybrid governance model. The core research problem addresses how these differing institutional frameworks shape the efficiency and equity of public services, and how emerging AI technologies are integrated into, and interact with, these existing models.
Zhu noted that he might replace the United States with Malaysia in the study, Senior Research Fellow Evgeny Diskin asked what motivated this. Zhu explained that Malaysia's model is similar to the United States, but it is a developing country that has been able to avoid some of the disadvantages of the market model and compare the three developing countries, perhaps more correctly.
Guided by the theoretical lenses of historical institutionalism and comparative institutional analysis, the research employs a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) design. Data will be drawn from a comprehensive review of academic literature, regional studies, and official government publications. Senior Research Fellow Maria Yudina asked if Zhu had found data suitable for comparative analysis. The speaker replied that he had data on China, partly on Malaysia, but not yet on Russia.
The research analytical framework will focus on public service delivery models, market-oriented practices, and policy implementation mechanisms. Research Assistant Sofia Mazina raised questions about alternative theoretical frameworks, including rational choice theory, but Zhu explained their preference for historical institutionalism due to its ability to trace historical legacies and systemic development patterns.
The anticipated contribution of this study is twofold. Theoretically, it aims to enrich discussions on institutional diversity and technological adaptation in public administration. Practically, it seeks to provide evidence-based insights for policymakers navigating the challenges of balancing efficiency and fairness in public service reform during the digital era.
Summing up the seminar, the laboratory Head Evgeny Styrin, noted that although Zhu had already published several publications on the research topic, work on the text of the dissertation itself needed to be accelerated, and deadlines for graduate students are tight.
