Non-governmental public sector and public services: A study on the status of non-governmental public sector services in China

Author: Ding Yuanzhu, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This book compiles the questionnaire analysis report and case study report of "Research on the Service Status of Non-Governmental Public Departments in China." It is the first study to explore the types of services, service projects, service outputs, and service activities of non-governmental public departments in China, aiming to gain knowledge in this area and deepen the understanding of the role of non-governmental public departments in China's development. The book also proposes strategies and recommendations to promote the development of non-governmental public departments and improve their service efficiency. The book argues that non-governmental public departments in China primarily serve objects such as the government, enterprises, various specific groups, members, and the general public, and to a large extent, they actually undertake public service functions. Very few engage in other activities beyond this scope. Non-governmental public departments in China basically provide completely unpaid services, with only a small number of organizations (3.7%) offering fully paid services, while 39.5% of organizations provide certain compensatory service activities (to compensate for financial shortfalls). From the perspective of the served recipients, they derive two types of benefits from the services of non-governmental public departments: first, spiritual satisfaction; second, fulfillment of practical needs. The book suggests that the Chinese government should consider establishing a social protection mechanism based on non-governmental public departments such as community organizations. This mechanism should be able to address the shortcomings of the existing social security system and involve the joint provision of social welfare and services by the state, market, and non-governmental public departments. Greater policy and legal space should be given to the establishment of this mechanism to mitigate the impact of marketization on disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.