Zeger van der Wal

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Zeger van der Wal is a leading scholar in public administration, whose research focuses on the intersection of public sector leadership, ethics, and the future of public service delivery. His work critically examines how technological advancements and shifting societal expectations are reshaping the roles and competencies of public servants. Van der Wal’s most-cited paper, “Could robots do better than our current leaders” (2018), provocatively explores the potential for artificial intelligence to assume leadership roles, challenging traditional notions of governance. His 2021 chapter on future challenges in public service provision synthesizes emerging trends, particularly the HRM implications of balancing traditional and new public servant characteristics, highlighting the tension between established bureaucratic norms and the demands of a digital, agile workforce. While his citation counts are still building, van der Wal’s work is notable for its forward-looking, interdisciplinary approach, bridging public administration, technology, and organizational behavior. He is also recognized for his contributions to understanding public sector ethics and integrity, making him a key voice in debates on the future of governance.