Context and innovation in traditional bureaucracies: A Hong Kong study

Abstract

Traditional bureaucracies, defined in Weberian terms, are almost invariably seen as antithetical to innovation. Yet, although the academic literature presents an array of formidable structural barriers to the emergence and implementation of new ideas, innovation does occur in traditional bureaucracies. How can the structural impediments be overcome? What are the processes that enable innovation to take place?Based on a longitudinal study of the Hong Kong government's innovation policies and practices, it is argued that political context is a critical variable explaining how, even in rigid traditional bureaucracies, barriers may be avoided or temporarily suspended. Two contrasting case studies are used to illustrate, first, the importance of political commitment in gaining acceptance for new ideas and, second, the failure of agencies dedicated to innovation to achieve their objectives. It is postulated that circumventing structural barriers or working through political channels to reduce their impact may be a more constructive strategy than creating dedicated agencies to develop innovative measures. The study is grounded in a literature review, documentary evidence from the Hong Kong government's innovative agencies, and interviews with senior staff from those agencies.

To innovate or not—Exploring individual antecedents of innovative thinking among Indian bureaucrats

“…The external environment influences the innovative thinking of the officers/bureaucrats (I. Scott, 2021) through an impact on intrinsic motivation (Shalley et al., 2004). Contextual factors affecting individual‐level innovative thinking have limited studies (see Hammond et al., 2011), and we have tried to expand this boundary.…”

“…Public administrators' knowledge, skills, and abilities are a central theme in the ideas of modern reformers for making the state more effective (I. Scott, 2021). As the importance of public administrators was realized for the success of the modern democratic system, the focus gradually shifted to their innovative thinking.…”

“…Many factors that impede or encourage innovation have been studied in the literature (Borins, 2001; Kumar & Rose, 2012; I. Scott, 2021). De Vries et al.…”

Public administration, context and innovation: A framework of analysis

“…The article by Scott (2021) introduces innovations in Hong Kong's civil service, which is situated in a traditional PA context characterised by a hierarchical bureaucratic culture (a UK model of administration rather than a Chinese one due to Hong Kong's colonial history). Through a historical review of innovations in the Hong Kong bureaucracy, the author argues that political commitment and agency have pushed forward innovations without introducing fundamental structural changes of the government.…”

Indonesian Public Service Innovation Trends: An Analysis Based on Public Service Innovation Competition Top Innovations 2014-2019

“…Innovation in the public sector aims to improve the quality of public services and the organization's capacity to face society's challenges and global competition [3]. The old perspective sees innovation as a complicated procedure and does not bring any change [4] in the bureaucracy, as well as considering bureaucracy as a slow and outdated organization [5]. Therefore, innovation must provide significant differences [6] to the bureaucracy.…”