When Culture Meets Cadre Rotation: The Impact of Cultural Mismatch on Officials’ Promotion and Market Reform in China

Fei Peng; Lili Kang; Yujiang Bi; Sajid Anwar

doi:10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2026.102881

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When Culture Meets Cadre Rotation: The Impact of Cultural Mismatch on Officials’ Promotion and Market Reform in China

Journal article

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When Culture Meets Cadre Rotation: The Impact of Cultural Mismatch on Officials’ Promotion and Market Reform in China

Fei Peng, Lili Kang, Yujiang Bi and Sajid Anwar

European Journal of Political Economy, Vol.95, pp.1-21

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2026.102881

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Abstract

Cultural conflicts

Marketization in Chinese regions

Political promotion incentives

Rice-wheat culture

This paper investigates how cultural conflicts between migrant officials and host cities affect promotion and marketization in China. Using panel data from 346 cities (2000-2017), we find asymmetric effects: southern officials assigned to northern cities face reduced promotion prospects, whereas northern officials serving in the south experience enhanced career advancement. These conflicts shape marketization outcomes through promotion expectations—optimistic expectations among southbound officials mitigate potential negative effects, while pessimistic expectations among northbound officials offset their otherwise pro-marketization influence. The results underscore the importance of cultural fit in governance and its implications for political incentives and economic development in transitional economies.

Details

Title: When Culture Meets Cadre Rotation: The Impact of Cultural Mismatch on Officials’ Promotion and Market Reform in China
Authors: Fei Peng - Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance
Lili Kang - Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance
Yujiang Bi - Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance
Sajid Anwar (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: European Journal of Political Economy, Vol.95, pp.1-21
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2026.102881
ISSN: 1873-5703
Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.
Organisation Unit: School of Business and Creative Industries; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991247284702621
Output Type: Journal article

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