Dear Forum Members

Please allow me to introduce my recent co-authored articles focusing on Japanese local governments. Each paper has a slightly different focus. They examine demographic declines, social isolation, local government innovation, and gender representation in politics and administration. My co-authors and I hope that these articles are widely read by those who are interested in local governments. All articles are open access.

Suzuki, K., Dollery, B. E., & Kortt, M. A. (2020). Addressing loneliness and social isolation amongst elderly people through local co-production in Japan. Social Policy & Administration. doi:10.1111/spol.12650

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/spol.12650

Abstract

In common with many other societies with ageing populations, loneliness and social isolation have become a significant problem in contemporary Japan. The financial burden associated with an ageing population, together with ongoing fiscal austerity, has severely constrained the ability of local authorities to address the problem. As a result, policymakers have sought cost‐effective methods of tackling the problem, including local co‐production with community groups. In this article, we consider the impact of loneliness and social isolation on wellbeing and then examine two illustrative case studies of local co‐production programs aimed at tackling social isolation amongst older adults in Japan.


Suzuki, K., Ha, H., & Avellaneda, C. N. (2020). Direct and non-linear innovation effects of demographic shifts. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 79(3), 351-369. doi:10.1111/1467-8500.12424

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-8500.12424

Abstract

A varied set of pressures drive organizational innovation. Among these pressures, demographic shifts seem to boost innovation, as the public sector responds to the arrival of migrants and to community changes in race and ethnic composition. However, we know little about innovation by governments in response to expected population decline. In particular, studies have under‐examined how anticipated demographic pressures prompt public organizations to innovate. This study undertakes this task by arguing that innovation is more visible in municipalities facing greater anticipated demographic decline. However, we also argue for a non‐linear relationship in which too strong and/or too weak expected demographic declines lead to less visible innovation (inverted U‐shape effect). These propositions were tested with a data set of Japanese municipalities and employing a dose-response model. Findings show that anticipated demographic declines directly boost innovation visibility. However, too strong and/or too weak unexpected demographic declines make innovation less visible.


Suzuki, K., & Avellaneda, C. N. (2018). Women and risk-taking behaviour in local public finance. Public Management Review, 20(12), 1741-1767. doi:10.1080/14719037.2017.1412118

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14719037.2017.1412118

Abstract

This study examines how female representation in local elected (mayor and legislature) and administrative (mid-level manager) positions influences municipal financial decision-making in 764 Japanese city-level governments. Findings show that female representation in local councils is positively correlated with risk-averse behaviour in financial decisions, as female representation on the legislature is negatively associated with issuing municipal bonds and with local investment in public corporations. Female representation in executive (mayor and vice-mayor) and mid-level administrative managerial positions has no apparent effects on local financial decisions. This study tests existing explanations of relationships between female managerial representation and fiscal behaviour in an Asian developed setting characterized by considerable underrepresentation of women in politics.


All the best,
Kohei Suzuki

Kohei Suzuki, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University, the Netherlands
Research Associate, The Quality of Government (QoG) Institute, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
E-Mail: k.suzuki@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
URL: https://koheisuzuki.weebly.com/
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kohei_Suzuki3


Recent articles

-"Is impartiality enough? Government impartiality and citizens' perceptions of public service quality." (with Mehmet Akif Demircioglu) Governance. link

-"Politicization, Bureaucratic Legalism, and Innovative Attitudes in the Public Sector." (with Victor Lapuente) Public Administration Review 80 (3):454-467. link

-"The prudent entrepreneurs: women and public sector innovation."(with Victor Lapuente) Journal of European Public Policy:1-27. link

-"Addressing loneliness and social isolation amongst elderly people through local co-production in Japan." (with Brian E. Dollery & Michael A. Kortt). Social Policy & Administration. link