Polihot

PMR — pp. 1-33 2026-05-25 Original Debunking the myth of creativity as a typical bottleneck to public sector innovation: a multidimensional comparison of creativity between the public and private sectors and robustness comparisons within the public sector

PA — 2026-05-25 Original Cultural Competence in Community‐Level Initiatives to Advance Racial Equity in Homeless Services

PMR — pp. 1-29 2026-05-25 Original Cocreating service innovations in European public libraries Anthony Arundel, Nordine Es-Sadki, Paul Windrum, Luis Rubalcaba Abstract This study uses survey data for 543 European libraries to investigate the effect of co-creation and other factors on the usefulness of knowledge for innovation obtained from four groups: library users, non-management staff, non-profits and businesses. The study finds that 24.3% of libraries develop a 'high priority' innovation through co-creation with library users. Co-creation has a substantial positive effect on the usefulness of knowledge obtained from all four groups. The knowledge of non-managerial library staff on user needs can partly substitute for user engagement. The results support the importance of drawing on multiple knowledge sources within a library innovation ecosystem.

PMR — pp. 1-27 2026-05-23 Original Hybrid professionalism in regulatory governance: the reconfiguration of professionalism in the procurement of social services Avishai Benish, Avner Gassner, Noa Katz

PMR — pp. 1-31 2026-05-23 Original Exploring how individual and shared accountability shape risk management approaches in public service delivery Emily Rose Tangsgaard Abstract This article explores how frontline managers (FMs) approach risk management in politically salient public service contexts under individualized versus shared accountability structures, integrating theories of accountability, blame avoidance, and leadership. Drawing on individual and group interviews with 62 FMs in Danish healthcare (individualized accountability) and social services (shared accountability), the analysis shows that anticipatory blame avoidance and perceptions of formal accountability structures shape risk management approaches: FMs engage more closely in decision-making processes when accountability is shared, whereas they focus on structuring decision-making procedures when accountability is individualized. The findings illustrate that FMs actively calibrate their leadership in anticipation of blame, revealing greater individual agency than typically acknowledged in studies emphasizing informal accountability structures such as professional norms or organizational culture. By highlighting how formal accountability shapes leadership in practice, the study offers a novel, empirically grounded perspective on public leadership.

PMR — pp. 1-29 2026-05-23 Original An empirical analysis of digital strategies and behaviours in Korea’s public sector think tanks: an institutional organizational theory perspective

PSJ — 2026-05-22 Original Facets of Crises: How Problem Indicators and Public Perceptions Affect Policy Change Constantin Kaplaner, Alexa Lenz, Vanessa Millich, Christoph Knill, Yves Steinebach, Clara Fochler, Annika Kolbe

PAR — 2026-05-22 Original Exploring the Role of Gene, Traumatic Experiences, and Religious Participation in Public Service Employment: A Gene–Environment Interaction Perspective

PAR — 2026-05-21 Original Functional Politicization in Practice. From Responsive Competence to Reflexive Functional Politicization Amalie Trangbæk Abstract ABSTRACT This study addresses how senior civil servants navigate the tension between responsiveness and competence through functional politicization. Based on rich observational data (300 h) and interview material (42 interviews), the article theorizes how senior civil servants navigate this tension by providing advice that integrates political considerations with professional technical knowledge to challenge the minister, provide alternative solutions, and clarify consequences. I call this practice reflexive functional politicization and hereby contribute to the literature on politicization by conceptualizing how politicization is practiced by civil servants in action. Their practice is motivated by the conviction that true neutrality is rare or nonexistent and thus that they must instead strike a balance between political responsiveness and technical competence.

CQ 266 pp. 291-308 2026-05-20 Original The Resilience of Self-reliance in China: Autonomy, Interdependence and Order-shaping Amy King, Wenting He Abstract Abstract The idea of “self-reliance” has endured in Chinese political discourse for nearly a century, transcending profound changes in China’s political, economic and strategic circumstances. Although it is frequently misinterpreted as economic isolation or autarky, the idea of self-reliance in China has always acknowledged the country’s engagement with the global economy. Drawing on the discursive institutionalist concept of ideational resilience, we show that self-reliance comprises three interlocking elements: autonomy, interdependence and order-shaping. While these sit in tension with one another, they have also accommodated one another since the earliest articulations of the idea. This tripartite structure has enabled Chinese leaders since the Republican era to reinterpret and usefully deploy the idea of self-reliance. Our findings underscore the resilience of Chinese foreign economic policy ideas, as well as the ideational logic behind Xi Jinping’s seemingly contradictory pursuit of technological self-reliance, open global markets and greater connectivity with the developing world.