Systematic Review and Metasynthesis: Dissent and Guerrilla Government in Public Administration Research

ABSTRACTThis study investigates how dissent and guerrilla government research shape theory and practice in public administration. The research takes a metasynthetic approach to a traditional systematic review by incorporating ethnographic methods to synthesize the state of the dissent and guerrilla government research. The findings suggest that dissent plays a critical role in the public sector, such as promoting transparency and accountability and fostering a learning culture through feedback. However, the situation and the context surrounding rationales for transgressive behaviors matter. The study finds that dissent and disobedience may be useful tools for dealing with organizational failures and dysfunctions, but these methods should only be used when necessary. Practitioners should be aware of the range of consequences that arise from actions relating to dissent and disobedience. Several gaps are identified and demonstrate a clear need to continue research on dissent and transgressive leadership in public administration, leadership, and public policy.