A Study On The Practical Knowledge Generation Of Street-level Bureaucrats

Street-level bureaucrats are people who interact directly with citizens,face the people and represent the government.Improving their working capacity and capability is important for improving the party’s governing capacity and capability.However,street-level bureaucrats need to face many unforeseen,complex and ambiguous challenges in their work practice,which often cannot be solved by applying theoretical knowledge and require street-level bureaucrats to rely on practical knowledge to respond flexibly.But now,the practical knowledge generation of street-level bureaucrats has not been fully explored.Therefore,based on structuration theory and reflective theory of practice,this study uses grounded theory of qualitative research to collect and analyze data from a sample of 12 street-level bureaucrats,supplemented by interviews,non-participant observation and case studies,to explore the generation of practical knowledge among street-level bureaucrats at the level of the dichotomy between structure and action.The analysis of the study leads to the following conclusions: first,structure is the source of practical knowledge of street-level bureaucrats.Rules and resources exert enabling and constraining effects on street-level bureaucrats’ actions,which in turn influence the generation of practical knowledge.Second,the practical knowledge of street-level bureaucrats under the role of structure is contextualized,strategic,and dynamic in nature.Third,street-level bureaucrats’ actions have agency and can be carried out successfully only under the role of agency.Fourth,street-level bureaucrats generate practical knowledge through a series of cognitive activities in their actions,and this process is dynamic and cyclical in development.Specifically,street-level bureaucrats harvest "experience" through reflection in action,and then transform "experience" into uncured practical knowledge through reflection on action.In the following problematic situations,the street-level bureaucrats call on the uncrystallized practical knowledge to guide their actions,test it and crystallize it,and then continuously update and generate practical knowledge.Fifth,the results of the streetlevel bureaucrats’ actions will influence the structural reshaping,which in turn will lead to the renewal and generation of practical knowledge.Based on the findings of the study,the following recommendations are made: first,improve the rules and resources in the structure.Improve the rules to regulate the streetlevel bureaucrats’ actions and improve the resources to provide security for the streetlevel bureaucrats’ actions.Second,enhance the motivation of street-level bureaucrats.By enhancing professional identity,establishing scientific and effective incentive mechanisms,and improving basic knowledge and skills,street-level bureaucrats are motivated to work with a sense of responsibility,and promoted to perform their duties and services in their actions.Third,strengthen the reflective practice of the street-level bureaucrats.Creating problematic situations for street-level bureaucrats to strengthen their situational practice through imitation and re-enactment.Writing reflective notes,so that street officials can analyze and summarize their actions to update and enrich their practical knowledge.Creating an exchange platform to promote mutual learning and promotion among the street-level bureaucrats.