Subdistrict Office Reform in Chongqing: A Case Study Based on the Organization–Authority–Resources Framework

Abstract

As the nerve ending of urban governance, the institutional reform and efficiency improvement of subdistrict offices are very important. On the basis of constructing a three-dimensional framework of Organization–Authority–Resources(OAR), this paper takes the institutional reform of Chongqing subdistrict offices as an example to deeply analyze the practical path and basic experience of the reform of urban grass-roots administrative institutions. The study found that the institutional reform of Chongqing subdistrict offices takes party building as the core, reconstructs the organizational structure through the super-ministry system, clarifies the boundary of authority and responsibilities with list management, and enhances efficiency with sinking resources allocation. In this way, organization, authority and resources are brought into a more coherent fit. The practical experience of Chongqing shows that in the process of promoting the modernization of urban grassroots governance, It requires the government to think in systemic terms—keeping organization, authority and resources in a dynamic adjusted balance. Only then can grassroots vitality be stimulated and governance efficiency improved.