From bureaucratisation to digitalisation: the transformation of human resource governance in public administration
From bureaucratisation to digitalisation: the transformation of human resource governance in public administration

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the transformation of human resource governance over the past century through a public administration and political philosophy lens, tracing its evolution from Weber’s rational–legal bureaucracy, grounded in rule-based authority and impersonal order, through the critiques of Ludwig von Mises and the market-oriented rationalities that informed New Public Management, to the contemporary reconfiguration of administrative power. It argues that this transformation has progressively altered the role, motivation, and institutional positioning of civil servants. While classical bureaucratic theory emphasized stability, merit, and professional vocation, contemporary administrative systems increasingly rely on performance-based evaluation and organizational flexibility. Drawing on recent literature, European reform practices, and empirical evidence from Romania, the paper demonstrates that employee well-being, fair remuneration, and supportive organizational environments are critical determinants of civil servant retention. It further argues that the Romanian public administration is not oversized, but structurally understaffed in its core administrative segment. The paper concludes by advocating for a re-humanization of public administration and proposes future research directions concerning the integration of digital and AI competencies within the civil service.

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