WU Alfred Muluan

WU Alfred Muluan
吴木銮

Associate Professor

Contact

DID: +65 6601 6159
Email: decb64_c3Bwd2FtQG51cy5lZHUuc2c=_decb64
https://alfredmwu.wordpress.com/

Office Location

469C Bukit Timah Road

Level 2M, Oei Tiong Ham Building

Singapore 259772

Social

Profile

Dr. Alfred Muluan Wu is Associate Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. His research lies at the intersection of public administration, political economy, and social policy, with a regional focus on Greater China and Asia. His work examines public sector reform, central-local fiscal relations, corruption and governance, and social protection.

Before joining NUS in 2017, Dr. Wu held academic appointments at The Education University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong. He received his Ph.D. in Public Administration from City University of Hong Kong, where he was awarded the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship and the university’s Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students. His research has been supported by competitive grants from Singapore’s Ministry of Education, the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, and the Central Policy Unit of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

Dr. Wu serves as Associate Editor of Public Administration and Development, a flagship journal on public administration in developing contexts. He also provides significant service to the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), where he was elected International Director (March 2026–March 2029), the only board position based outside the United States. Additionally, he holds leadership roles in ASPA's sections on Chinese Public Administration (SCPA) and International and Comparative Administration (SICA).

A committed educator, Dr. Wu received the NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of his contributions to pedagogy and student engagement. He is known for incorporating real-world case studies and co-production strategies in his classroom practice.

Dr. Wu’s expertise in public affairs draws on his earlier career as an award-winning senior journalist in Mainland China (2000–2007). This professional background informs the rigor and relevance of his academic research on China’s political economy. His analysis is widely sought after, and he is regularly quoted by major international media outlets.

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Research Areas

Central-local fiscal relations
Corruption and governance
Public sector reform
Social protection in Greater China

Publications

1

Authored Book

Governing Civil Service Pay in China
Governing Civil Service Pay in China (NIAS Press, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, University of Copenhagen, 2014)

45

Journal Articles

Policy Capacity Matters Differently Over Time: The Emergence and Persistence of Participatory Budgeting in China
Yan, Yifei, Alfred M. Wu, Biao Huang, and Fangxin Yi. 2024. Policy Capacity Matters Differently Over Time: The Emergence and Persistence of Participatory Budgeting in China. Public Administration and Development.
Beyond Economic Growth: Rural–Urban Integration and Citizens’ Perceptions of Social Justice in China

Gong, Lin, Juan Chen, Xue Bai, and Alfred M. Wu. 2025. Beyond Economic Growth: Rural–Urban Integration and Citizens’ Perceptions of Social Justice in China. The China Review 25(3), 97-127.
Reflections on 75 years of Public Administration and Development
Elliott, Ian C., J.A. Puppim de Oliveira, and Alfred M. Wu. 2024. Reflections on 75 years of Public Administration and Development. Public Administration and Development 44(4), 233–236.
Public administration and development in (historical) perspective
Elliott, Ian C., J.A. Puppim de Oliveira, and Alfred M. Wu. 2024. Public administration and development in (historical) perspective. Public Administration and Development 44(4), 98–314.
Central-Local Relations in China: A Case Study of Heilongjiang's GMO Ban
Zhang, Hongzhou, and Alfred M. Wu. 2024. Central-Local Relations in China: A Case Study of Heilongjiang's GMO Ban. The China Quarterly 257, 152–168.
Why Hong Kong People Rebel: The Role of Economic Frustration, Political Discontent and National Identity in Non-Institutional Political Participation

Chen, Xi; Wu, Alfred M, and Fen Lin . 2023. Why Hong Kong People Rebel: The Role of Economic Frustration, Political Discontent and National Identity in Non-Institutional Political Participation. Social Indicators Research 168 (1-3), 79-98.
New developments at Public Administration and Development
Elliott, Ian C., and Alfred M. Wu. 2023. New developments at Public Administration and Development. Public Administration and Development 43(2), 95–96.
Eﬀective online education under COVID-19: Perspectives from teachers and students
Yan, Yifei, Lina Vyas, Alfred M. Wu, and Stuti Rawat. 2022. Effective Online Education Engagement Under COVID-19: Perspectives from Teachers and Students. Journal of Public Affairs Education 28 (4), 422–439
Inequality of Opportunity in Health among Urban, Rural, and Migrant Children: Evidence from China
Chindarkar, Namrata, Maki Nakajima, and Alfred M. Wu. 2024. Inequality of Opportunity in Health among Urban, Rural, and Migrant Children: Evidence from China. Journal of Social Policy 53(4), 950–969.
When Public Administration Education Switches Online: Student Perceptions during COVID-19
Rawat, Stuti, Yifei Yan, Alfred M. Wu, and Lina Vyas. 2022. When Public Administration Education Switches Online: Student Perceptions during COVID-19. Teaching Public Administration 41(1), 122-142.
Social trust and stress symptoms among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Asia
Jiang Nan, Alfred M. Wu, and Edmund W. Cheng. 2022. Social trust and stress symptoms among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Asia. BMC Geriatrics 22, 1-10.
Social Development with Public Value: An International Comparison
Wang, Bing, Xia, Longmei, and Alfred M. Wu. 2022. Social Development with Public Value: An International Comparison. Social Indicators Research 162 (2), 909-934.
Immigration and Public Attitudes Towards Social Assistance: Evidence from Hong Kong

Yang, Shen, Bo Miao, and Alfred M. Wu. 2022. Immigration and Public Attitudes Towards Social Assistance: Evidence from Hong Kong. Journal of Economic Policy Reform 25(1): 28-44.
Intergenerational Conflict or Solidarity in Hong Kong? A Survey of Public Attitudes Toward Social Spending
Wu, Alfred M., and Kee-Lee Chou. 2021. Intergenerational Conflict or Solidarity in Hong Kong? A Survey of Public Attitudes Toward Social Spending. Social Indicators Research 158(2), 775–798.
International Tax Competition and Foreign Direct Investment in the Asia–Pacific Region: A Panel Data Analysis
Xu, Chengwei, and Alfred M. Wu. 2021. International Tax Competition and Foreign Direct Investment in the Asia–Pacific Region: A Panel Data Analysis. Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management 33(2), 157–176.
State or Civil Society–What Matters in Fighting COVID-19? A Comparative Analysis of Hong Kong and Singapore
Wong, Wilson, and Alfred M. Wu. 2022. State or Civil Society–What Matters in Fighting COVID-19? A Comparative Analysis of Hong Kong and Singapore. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice 24 (6), 609-626.
Public Sector Innovation, e‐government, and Anticorruption in China and India: Insights from Civil Servants
Wu, Alfred M., Yifei Yan, and Lina Vyas. 2020. Public Sector Innovation, e‐government, and Anticorruption in China and India: Insights from Civil Servants. Australian Journal of Public Administration 79(3), 370-385.
Anti-Corruption Policy: China’s Tiger Hunt and India’s Demonetization
Lina Vyas and Alfred M. Wu. 2020. Anti-Corruption Policy: China’s Tiger Hunt and India’s Demonetization. International Journal of Public Administration 43(11), 1000-1011.
The Logic of Basic Education Provision and Public Goods Preferences in Chinese Fiscal Federalism
Wu, Alfred M. 2019. The Logic of Basic Education Provision and Public Goods Preferences in Chinese Fiscal Federalism, Plos One 14 (12), 1-15.
Public–private Partnerships in the Water Sector in China: A Comparative Analysis
Qian, Neng, Schuyler House, Alfred M. Wu, and Xun Wu. 2020. Public–private Partnerships in the Water Sector in China: A Comparative Analysis. International Journal of Water Resources Development 36 (4), 631-650. (SSCI-listed).
The impact of fiscal decentralization on urban agglomeration: Evidence from China
Wu, Alfred M., Lin Ye, and Hui Li. 2019. The impact of fiscal decentralization on urban agglomeration: Evidence from China. Journal of Urban Affairs 41 (2), 170-188.
Decentralised governance and empowerment of county governments in China: betting on the weak or the strong?

Fan, Yong, Yan Wu, Alfred M Wu, and Wei Wang. 2018. Decentralised governance and empowerment of county governments in China: betting on the weak or the strong? Local Government Studies 44 (5), 670-696.
Fiscal Decentralization, Equalization, and Intra-Provincial Inequality in China
Liu, Yongzheng, Jorge Martinez-Vazquez, and Alfred M. Wu. 2017. Fiscal Decentralization, Equalization, and Intra-Provincial Inequality in China. International Tax and Public Finance 24(2): 248-281
Public Attitudes toward Income Redistribution: Evidence from Hong Kong
Wu, Alfred M., and Kee-Lee Chou. 2017. Public Attitudes toward Income Redistribution: Evidence from Hong Kong. Social Policy & Administration, 51(5):738–754
The dynamics of the city-managing-county model in China: Implications for rural–urban interaction
Yang, Zhenjie, and Alfred M. Wu. 2015. The dynamics of the city-managing-county model in China: Implications for rural–urban interaction. Environment and Urbanization 27 (1): 327–42.
Perceived retirement savings adequacy in Hong Kong: An interdisciplinary financial planning model
Chou, Kee-Lee, Kar-Ming Yu, Wai-Sum Chan, Alfred M. Wu, Alex Y. F. Zhu, and Vivian W. Q. Lou. 2015. Perceived retirement savings adequacy in Hong Kong: An interdisciplinary financial planning model. Ageing and Society 35:1565–1586.
Urbanization, land development, and land financing: Evidence from Chinese cities
Ye, Lin, and Alfred M. Wu. 2014. Urbanization, land development, and land financing: Evidence from Chinese cities. Journal of Urban Affairs 36(S1):354–368.
Poverty Reduction in Urban China: The Impact of Cash Transfers
Wu, Alfred M., and M Ramesh. 2014. Poverty Reduction in Urban China: The Impact of Cash Transfers. Social Policy and Society 13(2):285–299.
Determinants of Expenditure Decentralization: Evidence from China
Wu, Alfred M., and Wen Wang. 2013. Determinants of Expenditure Decentralization: Evidence from China. World Development 46:176–184.
How does Decentralized Governance Work? Evidence from China
Wu, Alfred M. 2013. How does Decentralized Governance Work? Evidence from China. Journal of Contemporary China 22(81):379–393.
Fiscal federalism: A refined theory and its application in the Chinese context
Feng, Xingyuan, Christer Ljungwall, Sujian Guo, and Alfred M. Wu. 2013. Fiscal federalism: A refined theory and its application in the Chinese context. Journal of Contemporary China 22(82):573–593.
Determinants of Government Size: Evidence from China
Wu, Alfred M., and Mi Lin. 2012. Determinants of Government Size: Evidence from China. Public Choice 151 (1): 255-270.
Central Mandates in Flux: An Empirical Study of Local Noncompliance in China
Gong, Ting, and Alfred M. Wu. 2012. Central Mandates in Flux: An Empirical Study of Local Noncompliance in China. Publius: The Journal of Federalism 42 (2): 313-333.
Does Increased Civil Service Pay Deter Corruption? Evidence from China
Gong, Ting, and Alfred M. Wu. 2012. Does Increased Civil Service Pay Deter Corruption? Evidence from China. Review of Public Personnel Administration 32 (2): 192–204.
The Equal Pay Policy in China: A Preliminary Assessment
Wu, Alfred M. 2012. The Equal Pay Policy in China: A Preliminary Assessment. The Journal of Comparative Asian Development 11 (2): 248-270.
Economic Miracle and Upward Accountability: A Preliminary Evaluation of Chinese Style of Fiscal Decentralization

Wu, Alfred M. 2012. Economic Miracle and Upward Accountability: A Preliminary Evaluation of Chinese Style of Fiscal Decentralization. Asian Review of Public Administration 23: 104-120.
Economic and Social Transition in China: Rhetoric or Reality?

Wu, Alfred M., and Ji Weiwei. 2013. Economic and Social Transition in China: Rhetoric or Reality? Twenty-First Century 139: 38-49 (Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Chinese).
The Impact of China’s Fiscal Decentralization on Health Outcomes

Peng, Haoran, Meng Xing, and Alfred M. Wu. 2013. The Impact of China’s Fiscal Decentralization on Health Outcomes. Finance and Trade Economics, 384 (11): 33-44 (in Chinese, CSSCI).
A Research Report on China’s Corruption Cases during 2000- 2009: Empirical analysis of some 2800 corruption cases

Gong, Ting, and Alfred M. Wu. 2012. “A Research Report on China’s Corruption Cases during 2000- 2009: Empirical analysis of some 2800 corruption cases”. Sociological Studies 4: 204-220 (in Chinese, CSSCI).
Does a Combination of Decentralization and Centralized Control Work? An Analysis of Civil Service Remuneration in China.

Wu, Alfred M. 2011. Does a Combination of Decentralization and Centralized Control Work? An Analysis of Civil Service Remuneration in China. Open Times 6: 70-82 (in Chinese, CSSCI).
Intergovernmental Mandates in the US: A Critical Survey of Recent Scholarly Debate

Wu, Alfred M. 2010. Intergovernmental Mandates in the US: A Critical Survey of Recent Scholarly Debate. Comparative Economic and Social Systems 5: 113-121 (in Chinese, CSSCI).
Broadbanding in Public Sector Remuneration: A Comparative Study

Wu, Alfred M. 2010. Broadbanding in Public Sector Remuneration: A Comparative Study. Chinese Public Administration 2: 71-76 (in Chinese, CSSCI).
Leapfrog in Public Sector Reform: Examining Water Privatization in China.

Wu, Alfred M. 2010. Leapfrog in Public Sector Reform: Examining Water Privatization in China. Theory and Reform 2: 85-89 (in Chinese, CSSCI).
Chinese Civil Service Remuneration: A Policy Implementation Perspective

Wu, Alfred M. 2009. Chinese Civil Service Remuneration: A Policy Implementation Perspective. Journal of Public Management 6 (3): 32-39 in Chinese, CSSCI).
A Road to State Capitalism—A Review of China’s Large State-owned Enterprises Reform

Wu, Alfred M. 2008. A Road to State Capitalism—A Review of China’s Large State-owned Enterprises Reform. Twenty-First Century 110: 24-35 (Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Chinese).

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IES Affiliate Researchers

Andreas Raharso,
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Executive Fellow and Next Practice Expert, School of Computing, National University of Singapore
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Victor Nian,
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Founding Co-Chairman of the Centre for Strategic Energy and Resources (CSER)
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Angel Hsu,
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Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Charlotte Halpern,
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FNSP Tenured Researcher, Sciences Po
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Chris Elliott
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Environmental Consultant, Institute for Environment and Sustainability
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David Kaimowitz
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Chief Program Officer, International Land and Forest Tenure Facility
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Frank Bierman
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Professor, Utrecht University
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Ishani Mukherjee
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Associate Professor, Singapore Management University
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Janice Ser Huay Lee
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Assistant Professor, Nanyang Technological University
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Jeff Sayer
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Professor, University of British Columbia
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Kate Macdonald
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Associate Professor, University of Melbourne
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Katharine Rietig
Professor, Newcastle University
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Lahiru Wijedasa
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Asia Forest Coordinator, BirdLife International
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Mely Caballero Anthony
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Professor, Nanyang Technological University
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Meng-Hsuan Chou
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Associate Professor, Nanyang Technological University
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Scott Valentine
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Professor, Kyushu University
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RHEE, Steve
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Practitioner of International Sustainable Natural Resource Management, Jalan Pengembak No. 19 Sanur, Bali, Indonesia
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FAN Mingxuan
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Assistant Professor, 15 Kent Ridge Drive Mochtar Riady Building #7-52
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Alvaro Artigas
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Associate researcher, Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics Sciences Po
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WU Alfred Muluan

WU Alfred Muluan
吴木銮

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Profile

Research Areas

Research Areas

Publications

Publications

1

Authored Book

45

Journal Articles

IES Affiliate Researchers

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WU Alfred Muluan

WU Alfred Muluan 吴木銮

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Publications

1

Authored Book

45

Journal Articles

IES Affiliate Researchers

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WU Alfred Muluan
吴木銮