THE POLITICS-BUREAUCRATIC INTERFACE IN THE RECRUITMENT, PROMOTION, AND TRAINING OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN AMHARA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
Аннотация
This study examines the politics-bureaucracy interface in the recruitment, promotion, and training of civil servants in the Amhara National Regional State of Ethopia. Employing a mixed-methods design, data were collected through surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics were used to assess civil servants’ perceptions of merit-based practices versus political influence, while an ordered probit model was applied to identify factors shaping these perceptions. Qualitative data were analysed thematically to uncover recurrent patterns and interpretations. The results indicate divergent views regarding the application of merit principles; however, a substantial majority perceived that recruitment processes are not consistently merit-driven due to weak personnel management systems, ineffective assessment procedures, political interference, and nepotism. Political influence was perceived to be more pronounced in promotion and training decisions than in recruitment. The ordered probit results show that civil servants in professional and administrative roles are more likely to report political interference across personnel processes, whereas those in managerial positions are less likely to acknowledge such influence. Overall, the findings suggest that despite longstanding national commitments to meritocratic civil service reform, political favouritism and personal networks continue to undermine fair recruitment, promotion, and training practices in the region.Скачивания
Литература
Assefa, H.S. (2018) ‘An assessment of relationship between permanent and temporary executives in Ethiopian bureaucracy’, Developing Country Studies, 8(7), pp. 43–59.
Batabyal, A., and Nijkamp, P. (2004) ‘Favoritism in the public provision of goods in developing countries’, Economics Bulletin, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.594941
Beagan, B. L., Sibbald, K. R., Goree, T. D., and Pride, T. M. (2024) ‘Affirmative action and employment equity in the professions: Backlash fueled by individualism and meritocracy’, Canadian Review of Sociology, 61(3), 241–261. https://doi.org/10.1111/cars.12480
.Asimov, A., and Blohm, M. (2024) ‘Sequential and concurrent mixed-mode designs: A tailored approach’, Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology, 12(3), pp. 558-577. DOI:10.1093/jssam/smae016
Boutaleb, A., and Labzaé, M. (2021) ‘Lire l’APAD en politistes. Face-à-face administratifs et questions de classes [Reading APAD from a political science perspective: Administrative confrontations and class issues]’, Anthropologie et développement, Hors-série, pp.123-135. https://doi.org/10.4000/anthropodev.1197
Brewer, G. A., Kellough, J. E., and Rainey, H. G. (2022) ‘The importance of merit principles for civil service systems: Evidence from the U.S. federal sector’, Review of Public Personnel Administration, 42(4), pp. 686–708. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X211026008
Chaine, P. T. (2007) ‘What one hand gives, the other hand takes away. Ethiopia’s post-1991 decentralisation reform under neo-patrimonialsim’, Journal of Modern African Studies, 45(3), pp. 355-384. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254810890_What_One_Hand_Giveth_the_Other_hand_Taketh_Away_Ethiopia's_post-1991decentralisation_reform_under_neo-patrimonialism (accessed 27 August 2026).
Cole, M. S., Rubin, R. S., Feild, H. S., and Giles, W. F. (2007) ‘Recruiters’ perceptions and use of applicant résumé information: Screening the recent graduate’, Applied Psychology, 56(2), pp. 319–343. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2007.00288.x
Dasandi, N., and Esteve, M. (2017) ‘The politics – bureaucracy interface in developing countries’, Public Administration and Development, 245(March), pp. 231–245. https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.1793
Dessalegn, B. (2018) ‘Challenges of ethnic representation in Ethiopia and the need for reform’, Mizan Law Review, 12(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.4314/mlr.v12i1.1
Dobrowolski, Z., Sułkowski, Ł., Przytuła, S., and Rašticová, M. (2022) ‘Do nepotism and cronyism have payoff boundaries? A cross-country investigation’, Problems and Perspectives in Management, 20(2), pp. 236–247. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.20(2).2022.19
Duong, H. (2021) ‘The politicization of civil service recruitment and promotion in Vietnam’, Public Administration and Development, 41(2), pp. 51–62. https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.1910
Duressa, Z., and Author, C. (2014) ‘Leadership effectiveness in public service organizations of Ethiopia: Perceptions of leaders in public service organizations’, Journal of Law Policy and Globalization, (26), pp. 115–130.
Ferede, W. L., Endawoke, Y., and Tessema, G. (2025) ‘Assessment of meritocracy , accountability, and public service reforms in Ethiopia: evidence from public organizations in the Northwest Region’, Cogent Business and Management, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2492388
Gebrehiwot, M. (2025). The Story of Ethiopian Governance: From a centralized public service monopoly to ‘big man’ politics (PeaceRep Report). PeaceRep: The Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform, University of Edinburgh. http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/era/566417.
Jiru, C. A. (2020) ‘Implication of Ethiopian civil service reforms on performance management’, Public Policy and Administration Review, 8(2), pp. 17–31. https://doi.org/10.15640/ppar.v8n2a3
Kassa, C. B. (2011) ‘Meritocracy, career development, and promotion’, in: Public Administration in Ethiopia: Case Studies and Lessons for Sustainable Development, pp. 299–324. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv19m65dr.19
Kim, H., Jung, H., and Kim, S. Y. (2022) ‘Does politicization influence senior public officials’ work attitudes? Different forms and effects of politicization in the civil service’, Public Management Review, 24(7), pp. 1100–1123. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2021.1883099
Kirya, M. T. (2020) ‘Promoting anti-corruption, transparency and accountability in the recruitment and promotion of health workers to safeguard health outcomes’, Global Health Action, 13(sup1). https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2019.1701326
Kolvani, P., and Nistotskaya, M. (2025) ‘On mechanisms of meritocratic recruitment: competence and impartiality’, Journal of Institutional Economics, (21), pp. 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1744137425000086
Kuipers, N. (2023) ‘Failing the test: The countervailing attitudinal effects of civil service examinations’, American Political Science Review, 117(3), pp. 891–908. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055422001149
Lee, C. K. (2018) ‘The politicization of senior civil service in Korea: a human resource management perspective’, Asian Education and Development Studies, 7(4), pp. 412–425. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-11-2017-0114
Markos, S. (2013) ‘Civil service reform in Ethiopia’, in: Ethiopia: Issues, Lessons, and Future Directions. October 2014, pp. 37–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2012.713305
Mccandless, S. A., and Guy, M. E. (2013) ‘One more time: What Did Woodrow Wilson Really Mean About Politics and Administration’, Administrative Theory & Praxis, 35(3), pp. 356–377. https://doi.org/10.2753/ATP1084-1806350302
Moore, O. A., Livingston, B., and Susskind, A. M. (2023) ‘Résumé screening heuristic outcomes: an examination of hiring manager evaluation bias’, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. An International Journal, 42(1), pp. 104–134. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-04-2021-0115
Nahtigal, L., and Haček, M. (2013) ‘Politicization of senior civil servants in Slovenia’, Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences, (39), pp. 108–127.
Nasi, G. (2011) ‘Introduction - Public personnel policies: Impact on government performance’, Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice, 13(1), 5–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/13876988.2011.544144
Nkgapele, S. M., and Mofokeng, S. (2024) ‘Merit-based recruitment in the South African Public Service: Challenges and opportunities’, International Review of Social Sciences Research, 4(4), 148–170. https://doi.org/10.53378/irssr.353136
Nor, A. I. (2025) ‘The effect of training on public service delivery effectiveness in public sector organizations: the mediating role of civil servants’ performance’, Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2025.2466788
Pallai, K., and Gregor, A. (2016) ‘Assessment of effectiveness of public integrity training workshops for civil servants – A case study’, Teaching Public Administration, 34(3), pp. 247-269. https://doi.org/10.1177/0144739416650431
Park, S., and Liang, J. (2020) ‘Merit, diversity, and performance: does diversity management moderate the effect of merit principles on governmental performance?’, Public Personnel Management, 49(1), pp. 83–110. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091026019848459
Peters, B. G., and Bianchi, C. (2023) ‘Moving away from patronage: a feedback approach’, American Review of Public Administration, 53(1), pp. 36–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/02750740221127050
Pierre, P., and J. (2004) ‘Politicization of the civil service in comparative perspective: The quest for control’, in: Politicization of the Civil Service in Comparative Perspective: The Quest for Control. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203799857
Ragauskas, R., and Valeškaitė, I. (2020) ‘Nepotism, political competition and overemployment’, Political Research Exchange, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2474736X.2020.1781542
Rougier, B. (2017) ‘The Sunni tragedy in the Middle East: Northern Lebanon from al-Qaeda to ISIS’, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, 34(1), pp. 1–259. https://doi.org/10.35632/ajis.v34i1.867
Siddiquee, N. A., and Faroqi, M. G. (2010) ‘Equal employment opportunity in the public service: Theory and practice in Bangladesh’, International Journal of Public Administration, 33(8), pp. 451–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2010.483348
Siraj, F., Mustafa, N., Haris, M. F., Yusof, S. R. M., Salahuddin, M. A., and Hasan, M. R. (2011) ‘Pre-selection of recruitment candidates using case based reasoning’, Proceedings - CIMSim 2011: 3rd International Conference on Computational Intelligence, Modelling and Simulation, pp. 84–90. https://doi.org/10.1109/CIMSim.2011.24
Su, F., and Tao, R. (2024) Meritocracy or Patronage?, Cambridge University Press.
Sunam, R., Pariyar, B., and Shrestha, K. K. (2022) ‘Does affirmative action undermine meritocracy? “Meritocratic inclusion” of the marginalized in Nepal’s bureaucracy’, Development Policy Review, 40(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12554
Sundell, A. (2014) ‘Are formal civil service examinations the most meritocratic way to recruit civil servants? Not in all countries’, Public Administration, 92(2), pp. 440–457. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12077
Svara, J. H. (2006) ‘Introduction: politicians and administrators in the political process - a review of themes and issues in the literature’, International Journal of Public Administration, 29(12), pp. 953–976. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900690600854555
Tostensen, A., Søreide, T., and Skage, I. A. (2016) The challenge of per diem misuse Training and travel as extra pay. Available at: https://www.cmi.no/publications/file/6035-the-challenge-of-per-diem-misuse.pdf (accessed 27 August 2026).
Ukeje, I. O., Ndukwe, C., Emma, C., Ogbulu, U., and Onele, J. C. (2020) ‘Public service recruitment practices and implications for sustainable development in Ebonyi State, Nigeria’, International Journal of Public Administration, 43(4), pp. 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2019.1636394
Zewude, G. T., Bereded, D. G., Abera, E., Tegegne, G., Goraw, S., and Segon, T. (2024) ‘The impact of internet addiction on mental health: Exploring the mediating effects of positive psychological capital in university students’, Adolescents, 4(2), pp. 200–221. https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents4020014
Copyright (c) 2026 Национальный исследовательский университет "Высшая школа экономики"

Это произведение доступно по лицензии Creative Commons «Attribution» («Атрибуция») 4.0 Всемирная.