Advancing the frontiers of genomic public administration: From genetics to administrative attitudes, behaviors, and practices

• Published date: 01 November 2023
• Author: Lei Tao,Shui‐Yan Tang,Bo Wen
• Date: 01 November 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13744

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Advancing the frontiers of genomic public administration:

From genetics to administrative attitudes, behaviors,

and practices

Lei Tao

1

| Shui-Yan Tang

2

| Bo Wen

3

1

Department of Social Sciences and Policy

Studies, Education University of Hong Kong,

Ting Kok, Hong Kong

2

Department of Public Policy and Management,

Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of

Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

3

Department of Government and Public

Administration, University of Macau, Taipa,

Macau, China

Correspondence

Bo Wen, Department of Government and Public

Administration, University of Macau, Taipa,

Macau, China.

Email: bowen@um.edu.mo

Funding information

National Natural Science Foundation of China,

Grant/Award Number: 72004189

Abstract

Biology’s increasing applicability to the social sciences can inspire new approaches

to public administration research and practice. Drawing on advances in behavioral

genetics, genomic public administration may push its frontiers by examining the

genetic foundations of administrative behaviors. While public administration

scholars have pioneered the use of the twin design to assess the heritability of

public sector employment and public service motivation, they may also use molec-

ular genetics to explore how specific genes interact with environmental factors to

shape administrative attitudes, traits, and behaviors. We highlight how relevant

studies in management and political science may serve as models for similar

explorations in public administration. We also outline four research agendas for

genomic public administration. In addition to complementing traditional public

administration theory by examining the genetic roots of administrative behaviors

and practices, genomic public administration may enrich genetic inquiries by add-

ing public sector applications.

Evidence for practice

•Genomic public administration seeks to enhance our understanding of how

genetic factors and their interactions with socialization agents shape variations

in administration-related attitudes and behaviors.

•Researchers seeking to analyze the genetic foundations of administrative atti-

tudes and behaviors typically rely on methodologies such as twin/adoption

design and molecular genetic approaches.

•Policymakers and public sector managers should understand how genetic

makeup shapes the effects of organizational processes and management prac-

tices on individual attitudes and behaviors.

•Certain administrative traits and behaviors are less genetically determined and

more malleable than others. Policymakers and public sector managers should

direct resources toward shaping those psychological traits and behaviors.

INTRODUCTION

Behavioral genetics research has opened new frontiers in

recent decades, revealing both genetic and environmen-

tal factors to be critical sources of heterogeneity in social

traits and behaviors (Ebstein et al., 2010; Plomin

et al., 2016; Polderman et al., 2015; Turkheimer, 2000). Bio-

logically informed knowledge can push the conventional

boundaries of public administration, which has histori-

cally focused on the social and cultural variables

shaping administrative attitudes, behaviors, and practices

(Christensen et al., 2021; Florczak, 2023; Frederickson

et al., 2018). Without considering biological factors, exist-

ing socialization-oriented theories may fail to adequately

explain attitudinal and behavioral differences among indi-

viduals. To what extent can attitudinal, behavioral, or

institutional variations be attributed to social practices

and norms rather than to individuals’innate genetic

All authors contributed equally to this work.

Received: 17 April 2022 Revised: 18 September 2023 Accepted: 26 September 2023

DOI: 10.1111/puar.13744

Public Admin Rev. 2023;83:1447–1461. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/puar © 2023 American Society for Public Administration. 1447