Publisher

IAPAIAPA

Journal Policy & Governance ReviewPolicy & Governance Review Abstract

This study explores how Vietnamese civil servants address the complex paradoxes created by the “iron cage of bureaucracy, particularly within the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment of modern public administration. Using in-depth qualitative interviews with 30 public officials from diverse regions and roles, this study uncovered a nuanced spectrum of adaptive strategies, including compliance, accommodation, collectivization, inertia, and distortion. By integrating classical and contemporary bureaucracy theories with real-world accounts, this study highlights how traditional hierarchical cultures and rigid procedures simultaneously support stability and impede effective adaptation. Comparative analysis of global and regional public sector reforms reveals both the unique and shared dilemmas faced by Vietnamese officials. The findings have significant implications for policy reforms, organizational change, and future research on state capacity, accountability, and innovation in developing countries. This paper argues that successful bureaucratic adaptation in a VUCA world requires balancing institutional orders with responsible discretion and fostering a culture of learning, resilience, and ethical public services.

Conclusion

The findings highlight that Vietnamese civil servants operate within a complex paradox shaped by the enduring “iron cage of bureaucracy and the disruptive demands of a VUCA environment.Their adaptive strategies—compliance, accommodation, collectivization, inertia, and distortion—reflect a continuous balance between maintaining institutional order and addressing the need for flexibility, innovation, and public responsiveness.Ultimately, this research underscores that focusing on value-added activities, strengthening accountability, and fostering a culture of learning are essential for navigating the paradoxes of bureaucracy in a VUCA world and ensuring the long-term resilience of the public service.

Future Research

Berdasarkan temuan penelitian ini, beberapa saran penelitian lanjutan dapat diajukan untuk memperdalam pemahaman tentang adaptasi birokrasi di lingkungan VUCA. Pertama, penelitian kuantitatif dapat dilakukan untuk mengukur prevalensi dan dampak strategi adaptif yang berbeda di berbagai wilayah dan sektor di Vietnam, sehingga memberikan gambaran yang lebih komprehensif tentang bagaimana adaptasi terjadi secara sistematis. Kedua, studi komparatif dengan negara-negara transisional dan berkembang lainnya dapat dilakukan untuk mengidentifikasi praktik terbaik dan tantangan umum dalam mengelola paradoks birokrasi. Ketiga, evaluasi terhadap inisiatif reformasi spesifik yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan diskresi, mengurangi inersia, dan menekan distorsi perlu dilakukan untuk menilai efektivitasnya dan mengidentifikasi area yang memerlukan perbaikan.

Metadata

File size	1014.28 KB
Pages	16
DMCA	Report