Mapping the Knowledge Domain: Research on Service-Oriented Government in China

Establishing a service-oriented government (SOG) that can satisfy the needs of the people is not only a critical research topic in the field of public administration, but also a strategic agenda officially proposed since the Nineteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). As SOG research increases, it is important to thoroughly review the topics and trajectory of research on SOG in China. This paper uses CiteSpace, a visual analysis software, to provide an up-to-date overview and systematic summary of the research topics, trajectory, and gaps in SOG research in China. SOG research in China is classified into four categories: SOG concepts, development paths, government reforms, and performance evaluations. This paper illustrates the underlying problems, such as unsystematic theoretical development, research perspectives, and deficiency of the integrated research on the development mechanism, prominent focuses, and practical applicability. We concluded by identifying new trends in SOG research in China regarding government-society relations and big data.