ABSTRACT
Researchers have long founded their studies on the traditional belief that the innovation of autonomous governments in decentralized political structures may be construed as ‘laboratories of democracy’ (Brandeis 1932; Greve 2001; Karch 2007). Therefore, most classic empirical studies on innovation and diffusion focus on the democratic decentralized political regime (Berry and Berry 1990; Bulmer et al., 2007; Collier and Messick 1975; Derthick 1970; Füglister 2012; Hoberg 1991; Nedergaard 2009; Oakley 1998; Peterson and Rom 1990; Radaelli 2000, 2008, 2009; Sigelman et al. 1981; Walker 1969). However, more studies on undemocratic centralized countries without a federal structure, such as authoritarian China (Yang 2006), are highly encouraged (Berry and Berry 1999: 170; Walker et al. 2011: 117). The inter-regional diffusion of innovation in China has evolved greatly since before Mao Zedong’s era (Heilmann and Perry 2011). Previous studies concluded that policy experimentations and diffusion among Chinese local governments in economic policies and public services result in economic growth as well as political adaptability to the constantly changing and complicated environment (Heilmann 2008a; Wang 2009). Nevertheless, many are still unfamiliar with the inter-regional diffusion of innovation in China. What are the various mechanisms that promote the diffusion of innovation in the public service sector of China?
