Job Characteristics And Action Logic Of Street-level Bureaucrats

Street-level bureaucrats are groups of grassroots bureaucrats who interact directly with the public.Due to specific work environments and occupational pressures,they form some special action logic.In order to cover and analyze the action logic of street-level bureaucrats,this study divides the action logic through literature review and theoretical derivation into three dimensions: discretion over action process,discretion over action results,and weighing personal interest.Combining these dimensions,we establish a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system model of action logic.We demonstrate the working process and action logic of street-level bureaucrats,who are presented by chengguan officers from District X,and apply the action logic model by three practical cases.Job characteristics of street-level bureaucrats are a reflection of the special pressure they subjected to.To identify,validate,and measure the job characteristics and action logic of street-level bureaucrats,and the relationship between the two,this study investigated 216 first-line chengguan officers who met the definition of street-level bureaucrats and 49 grassroots staff members who were not street-level bureaucrats.The results of statistical analysis show that:(1)the job characteristics and action logic of street-level bureaucrats are significantly different from the other group of grassroots bureaucrats;(2)job characteristics affect the three dimensions of action logic to a certain extent.The results of the study indicate that work redesign and system construction will empower or control the street-level bureaucrats' action logic,and guide the street-level bureaucrats represented by the first-line chengguan officers to maintain the neutrality of personal interests,and to execise discretion in a positive way.