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Administrative Sciences
Special Issues
New Developments in Public Administration and Governance
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New Developments in Public Administration and Governance

A special issue of Administrative Sciences (ISSN 2076-3387).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 9511

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Paul Joyce

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Public Administration and Policy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Interests: public administration and governance; leadership in the public sector; strategic management in the public sector
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Governments and the wider public sector are facing many challenges. This is true worldwide. Some say that the world is becoming more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Some refer to the visions of sustainable and inclusive development that can set an agenda for global partnerships and public–private cooperation. Some call for new capabilities and mindsets in the governments and public sectors of the future. And some want experiments with new strategies, digital transformations, and social and policy innovations.

This is a time for research and study of new developments in the world of public administration and governance, developments that may raise the quality of performance of government organization and the public sector, including those involving collaborations with the private sector and civil society. Accordingly, it is important that contributions to the Special Issue analyse new developments in terms of what is happening and what the consequences are, as well as offering conceptual frameworks and theoretical insights. It is also crucial to place the new developments in their context and explain the challenges that prompted them.

The overall aim of the Special Issue is to survey what new developments are happening in the field of public administration and governance using a social science perspective. This is a particular section of the administrative sciences field and has not only similarities but also differences from other sections. It aims to provide evidence and facts on new developments, rigorous analysis, and new insights into what administrative and governance developments might form promising possibilities in the future. The aim is also to be practically significant and theoretically interesting. Finally, the aim is to be truly international in scope, with the result that successful new developments in public administration and governance in different and varied countries can provide inspiring models that might be adapted for differing national contexts.

This Special Issue intends to be inclusive in terms of the new developments addressed. That said, the scoping of the Special Issue has identified at least five critical new developments which should be addressed:

  • New developments in strategic leadership.
  • New approaches to strategic management.
  • Agility: government and public sector organizations.
  • Digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence.
  • Public and private sector collaborations.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Paul Joyce
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Administrative Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • strategic leadership
  • agility
  • strategic management
  • digital transformation
  • challenges

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 2459 KB  
Article
Assessing Digital Governance Maturity in the Context of Municipal Resilience: The Triadic Model, Its Dimensions and Interrelations
by Rita Toleikienė, Mindaugas Butkus, Ilona Bartuševičienė and Vita Juknevičienė
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15110435 - 7 Nov 2025
Viewed by 513
Abstract
Different Digital Governance maturity models are established; however, limited research has examined their applicability at the local government level, particularly concerning the interrelations among dimensions such as Strategy, Employees, and Processes. Understanding these connections is vital for municipalities striving to enhance resilience through [...] Read more.
Different Digital Governance maturity models are established; however, limited research has examined their applicability at the local government level, particularly concerning the interrelations among dimensions such as Strategy, Employees, and Processes. Understanding these connections is vital for municipalities striving to enhance resilience through Digital Governance amidst uncertainties. This study aims to develop, justify, and empirically test a Triadic Model capturing the relationships among its dimensions, assessing Digital Governance maturity in local governments during crisis response. To achieve this, a quantitative survey was conducted across all 60 Lithuanian municipalities, and the collected data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to validate the factor structure and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesized relationships among variables and latent constructs. The findings reveal significant interrelations among the model’s dimensions in enhancing municipal resilience. Research proposes a comprehensive framework for assessing Digital Governance maturity at three levels—Digital Consistency, Digital Adaptation, and Digital Transformation—and examines their interactive influence during crises. The results highlight how the dimensions of the Triadic Model collectively reflect municipal responses, emphasizing the importance of an integrated, staged approach to digitalization. This validated framework advances understanding of Digital Governance in local authorities and underscores the relevance of interrelated key dimensions for fostering resilience in uncertain contexts. In addition to model validation, the study also explores practical variations in Digital Governance maturity among Lithuanian municipalities, demonstrating the model’s applicability as a diagnostic tool for local governments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Developments in Public Administration and Governance)
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27 pages, 331 KB  
Article
Transforming Adversity into Strategic Success: Management Approaches in Palestinian Higher Education
by Al-Khansaa Mostafa Diab
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15110425 - 31 Oct 2025
Viewed by 540
Abstract
Palestinian higher education institutions operate under extraordinary challenges due to military occupation, including movement restrictions, resource limitations, and institutional closures, requiring university leaders to develop innovative approaches to maintain academic standards. This study explores how deans in Medicine, Law, and Engineering—the first programs [...] Read more.
Palestinian higher education institutions operate under extraordinary challenges due to military occupation, including movement restrictions, resource limitations, and institutional closures, requiring university leaders to develop innovative approaches to maintain academic standards. This study explores how deans in Medicine, Law, and Engineering—the first programs established in Palestine—navigate these constraints through strategic management practices that transform them into strategic capabilities. Using semi-structured interviews, we conducted in-depth qualitative research with three program deans who possess a comprehensive understanding of their faculties’ organizational dynamics and adaptive strategies. Thematic analysis revealed several key management approaches, including the strategic adaptation of curricula to meet community needs while maintaining global standards; deliberate investment in faculty development and international collaborations; the integration of critical pedagogy that connects academic learning with social responsibility; and the successful advancement of gender equity in traditionally male-dominated fields. Deans created innovative solutions, including community-based medical training, legal clinics addressing occupation-related cases, and engineering projects focused on local infrastructure challenges. These findings demonstrate how educational leaders transform systemic constraints into opportunities for pedagogical innovation and institutional strengthening. This research contributes new theoretical insights into management practices in crisis-affected higher education, demonstrating how strategic leadership can sustain academic excellence despite severe restrictions. The insights offer valuable lessons for university administrators worldwide facing similar challenges, particularly in conflict-affected regions where educational continuity is threatened. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Developments in Public Administration and Governance)
31 pages, 1505 KB  
Article
A Decision-Making Framework for Public–Private Partnership Model Selection in the Space Sector: Policy and Market Dynamics Across Countries
by Marina Kawai and Shinya Hanaoka
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15090367 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1402
Abstract
The increasing complexity and commercialization of the global space sector have elevated the strategic role of public–private partnerships (PPPs). However, the criteria for selecting suitable PPP models remain underexplored, particularly regarding the influence of national policy and market environments. This study proposes a [...] Read more.
The increasing complexity and commercialization of the global space sector have elevated the strategic role of public–private partnerships (PPPs). However, the criteria for selecting suitable PPP models remain underexplored, particularly regarding the influence of national policy and market environments. This study proposes a decision-making framework that links six indicators—national strategic goals, government role preferences, regulatory structures, capital access, private-sector capabilities, and commercial demand—to four distinct PPP models in the space sector. Drawing on Eisenhardt’s multi-case theory-building methodology, this study analyzes PPP evolution in four countries representing mature, emerging, and nascent countries: the United States, Japan, India, and the United Arab Emirates. The cross-case analysis reveals that high-autonomy PPP models emerge only when institutional, financial, and market factors are systemically aligned. Divergence in PPP forms is driven not solely by technical capabilities but also by governance postures and regulatory designs. The findings contribute to addressing ongoing challenges related to policy reform and increasing private-sector involvement in the space sector by developing a practical decision-making tool for public and private-sector actors engaged in space governance. Specifically, the diagnostic framework enables stakeholders to assess national readiness and select appropriate PPP models. It also supports strategic planning by highlighting the reforms and capacity-building measures required for countries with nascent and emerging economies to transition from government-led missions to commercially integrated space ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Developments in Public Administration and Governance)
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26 pages, 1267 KB  
Article
Organizational Commitment and Administrative Management in Public Service Delivery: Evidence from an Emerging Governance Context
by Fabricio Miguel Moreno-Menéndez, Uldarico Inocencio Aguado-Riveros, Mohamed Mehdi Hadi-Mohamed, Ruben Darío Tapia-Silguera, Manuel Silva-Infantes, José Francisco Vía y Rada-Vittes, Luis Ángel Huaynate-Espejo and Vicente González-Prida
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15060231 - 16 Jun 2025
Viewed by 3404
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between organizational commitment and administrative management within a public service institution operating in an emerging governance context. Grounded in the three-component model of organizational commitment (affective, continuance, and normative) and classical administrative theory (planning, organizing, directing, and controlling), [...] Read more.
This study examines the relationship between organizational commitment and administrative management within a public service institution operating in an emerging governance context. Grounded in the three-component model of organizational commitment (affective, continuance, and normative) and classical administrative theory (planning, organizing, directing, and controlling), the research investigates how internal psychological bonds among frontline personnel influence institutional performance. A quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental design was applied, surveying 30 operational police officers using validated Likert-scale instruments. The results reveal a strong and statistically significant positive correlation between organizational commitment and administrative management (Spearman’s ρ = 0.775, p < 0.01), with normative commitment displaying the highest effect size (ρ = 0.812). These findings underscore the critical role of ethical obligation, loyalty, and affective alignment in enhancing managerial coherence and institutional responsiveness. The study contributes to ongoing debates on public sector reform and strategic human capital management by emphasizing the need for emotionally engaged and ethically anchored personnel. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), promoting inclusive, accountable governance and resilient administrative practices in resource-constrained environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Developments in Public Administration and Governance)
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16 pages, 298 KB  
Article
Building a Decentralization Index in Portugal: A Proposal on Conceptual and Methodological Foundations
by Helena Teles, Temístocles Oliveira Júnior and Joaquim Caeiro
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15050187 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 1296
Abstract
Decentralization is a process that allows local governments to play a more active role in decision-making and the management of public policies. This process involves transferring responsibilities, resources, and authority from central to local governments, bringing the decisions and provision of public services [...] Read more.
Decentralization is a process that allows local governments to play a more active role in decision-making and the management of public policies. This process involves transferring responsibilities, resources, and authority from central to local governments, bringing the decisions and provision of public services and policies closer to the needs of citizens in each region. Portugal established a regime for asymmetric, multi-level, and multi-sectoral decentralization governance that is primarily focused on the policy (administrative) dimension. This study proposes conceptual and methodological foundations for building a decentralization index in Portugal aimed at measuring and comparing its outcomes across municipalities and policy areas of the social domain. The conceptual foundations enable a model that combines the state capacity concept with the three-dimensional decentralization theory, defining a framework of dimensions, objectives, and principles with potential indicators for a future index. The methodological cornerstones provide a qualitative scheme for determining the indicators that should comprise the decentralization index, data collection, processing methods, and analytical strategies. Although decentralization in Portugal dates back to the mid-2010s and the transfer of competences is formally complete as of 2023, at least in the social domain, its evaluation falls short of what is needed, including measuring its results in this domain. This study aims to present proposals that address these gaps and encourage a critical debate on decentralization, its frameworks, processes, and results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Developments in Public Administration and Governance)
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