Multi-source strategic interaction in China’s public services: a spatial econometric analysis
研究中国地方政府在公共服务中的策略互动形式与来源，发现存在正向互动，源于标杆竞争溢出和人口流动资源流效应，但经济追赶和户籍制度削弱了互动强度，并促使公共服务水平趋同。
This study explores the form and sources of strategic interaction in China’s public services among local governments. The results indicate the existence of positive strategic interaction in provincial public services, with multiple sources of interaction, ranging from a direct mechanism, such as the spillover effect of yardstick competition among local governments, to an indirect mechanism, such as the resource flow effect under population mobility and market integration. Nevertheless, the obstacle of economic catch-up and hukou system reduces the interaction intensity. Furthermore, strategic interaction causes provincial public services to converge to a consistent level, indicating an equalization trend.