Rule of morality versus rule of law? A Multi-method comparative study into the values that characterize a good civil servant in China and the Netherlands

This project answers the following research question: "Do the values that civil servants in China and the Netherlands regard important for being a good civil servant reflect the administrative traditions in both countries?" The findings show that civil servant value preferences do not unambiguously reflect respective administrative traditions in China and the Netherlands. Contrary to my expectations, ideal value rankings show more similarities than differences between Chinese and Dutch respondents. In real-life situations of civil service, value importance and meaning indicate that traditional influence remains. This research has significant implications in the study of public values. It provides empirical insights into civil servant values in China and the Netherlands, and how they reflect respective tradition. The findings empirically corroborate that we should not study public values out of specific context. Methodologically, this project undertakes a multi-method to compare civil servant values in cross-cultural contexts. It provides a valid approach to identify, measure, and perceive values. This research is also relevant to the practitioners. The dissertation consists of seven chapters, including an introductory chapter (Chapter 1), a general discussion (Chapter 7), and the other five chapters that answer five sub-questions, which collaboratively assist in answering the main research question. This dissertation concludes with the concept of tradition and potential further research.