Understanding the Institutional Dynamics of the Chinese Civil Servant Personnel System: A Policy Design Analysis from the Employee Life Cycle Perspective

Since the inception of the Chinese national civil servant system in 1993, China has undergone significant reforms. However, the rationale behind these modifications has not yet been systematically examined. To address this gap, this study adopts both policy design and employee lifecycle perspectives to develop a 3×3 analytical framework. The framework includes two key dimensions: the policy design content (Actor Structure, Actor Interaction, and Actor Objective) and the policy design process (Entry, Internal Development, and Exit Phases). Our findings highlight a noticeable shift in the actor structure of civil servant management, moving from a centralized model to a more decentralized and contingent model with increased local autonomy. Additionally, the personnel system has evolved from an informal, unstructured approach to a more institutionalized one characterized by standardized procedures and clear criteria, reflecting a growing emphasis on the goals of professionalism, representation, effectiveness, and fairness.