Advancing Social Equity in Local Government Sustainability Actions: An Institutional Perspective

Abstract

Despite its growing prominence in public administration scholarship, social equity remains insufficiently embedded in local sustainability actions. This study applies an institutional lens to investigate the mechanisms through which sustainability is institutionalized and to assess their impact on equity-oriented actions. Specifically, we investigate four mechanisms of institutionalization: embedding sustainability in formal plans, organizational structure, operational budget and performance evaluation. Drawing on data from a 2015 nationwide survey, we find that embedding sustainability in performance evaluation exerts the greatest influence, followed by task forces, dedicated staffing, and budget allocations, yet the inclusion of sustainability in formal plans fails to drive equity-oriented actions. These findings underscore the importance of institutionalizing sustainability through routine evaluation processes and leveraging flexible, resource-efficient structures to advance social equity. By integrating the institutionalization theory into the analysis of local government equity practices, this study contributes to public administration scholarship and offers actionable insights for policymakers and public managers aiming to promote more inclusive and enduring sustainability development.

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