CHINESE PUBLIC-ADMINISTRATION - MISUNDERSTANDING AND IMPLICATIONS

This paper argues that current research works on Chinese public admini stration are atheoretical or pre-theoretical, that findings generated could not serve as a basis for the development of a general (or medium -range) theory of Chinese public administration or Chinese bureaucrati c behavior, and that atheoretical or pre-theoretical research contribu tes very little to advancement of usable knowledge for problem-solving . The foci of the discussion in this paper are four major fallacies an d problems, namely, over-simplification of causes, misformation of con cept, stereotyping, and non-usable knowledge. It is concluded that Chi na scholars should be more theoretically rigorous and work with their counterparts in China in order to contribute to theory-building and pr actical problem-solving.