Effects of global pressures on public bureaucracy - Modeling a new theoretical framework

This article develops the authors' existing theoretical framework for compa rative analysis into a testable empirical model and shows how the model can be implemented for empirical inquiry through two case studies. According t o this framework, the social, economic, and political systems that make up the domestic context act to filter global pressures that cause bureaucratic change. Based on the model, the article develops hypotheses predicting the effect of the global pressures on the major attributes of public bureaucra cy: structure, scope, size, autonomy, and accountability. Briefcase studies of Japan and Hong Kong test the hypothesized effects of global institution s and public sector efficiency pressures on bureaucratic change. Results in dicate general support for the hypotheses. The article concludes by discuss ing further extensions and complexities not initially evident from the comp arative framework.