Governance continuity and administration efficiency

Abstract

This article examines the effects of governance continuity on public administration efficiency with China’s provincial level data. Unlike governors in some other countries, governors in China were appointed by the central government and had more flexible service term. Using a fixed effects model, this article found that the longer of governance continuity of a governor, the higher level of administration efficiency of the province. Further examinations showed that previous same-province political experiences of governors and whether they were serving in their home provinces had little effects on administration efficiency. Moreover, this article also found that governance continuity increased administration efficiency mainly by increasing public service.