The publication represents a significant introduction to a new approach for the phenomena and processes of public administration, referring to administrative emergence, Europeanization, convergence, meritocracy and governance quality. The paper is divided into six chapters maintaining a balance between the theoretical, conceptual and socio-empirical analysis. According to the subject, the three parts address the conceptualization and development of emerging administrations and the comparative study of three countries of South-Eastern Europe, which also inclu*es Romania. The pronounced interdisciplinary character opens opportunities for further analysis and contributions for readers and experts from related fields of public administration.