The principal officials accountability system in Hong Kong : roles, attributes and performance of secretaries, 2002-2017

Abstract

This project explores the relationships among the roles, attributes, and performance of secretaries. An analytical framework is developed in Chapter 2 as the analytical lens. The evolution of the roles of politicians and senior bureaucrats in Hong Kong are reviewed based on the analytical framework. Results indicate that the roles of directors of bureau have evolved from Image IV back to Images II and III. Changes in the roles affect the required attributes of secretaries. Prior to the handover, Hong Kong is considered an administrative state. In the colonial time, directors of bureau did not face serious political challenges. After the handover, however, demands from society surged and these directors were required to possess proficient political skills and policy knowledge. Empirical analysis in Chapter 5 revealed no clear association between typology and performance.

One proposition of this study is supported by the empirical data collected, whereas two propositions are rejected. This study proposes that the roles of politicians and senior bureaucrats in Hong Kong are shaped by changes in governance structure, political context and social conditions. Empirical findings reveal that the public sector reform developments, the imminence of handover of sovereignty back to China and rising political demand from citizens have substantially shaped the roles of senior government officials. These findings support the first proposition. However, two propositions are rejected by empirical findings. The second proposition assumes that secretaries with bureaucratic background are expected to have good perceived performances. The third proposition argues that careers in political parties and institutions are imagined to sharpen the political skills of the potential candidates for secretaries. Empirical analysis corroborates the notion that the performance of secretaries depends mainly on their individual attributes and on the nature of the work of their policy bureau, rather than on the typology of secretaries. Moreover, empirical data and comments from interviewees infer that, instead of political parties, the bureaucracy is expected to be the main reservoir of talents for secretaries.