Paper Title
Public Administration at the Crossroads: Navigating the “Eminently Practical Science” in the Era of VUCA and Industry 4.0

Abstract
This paper discusses the challenges faced by public administration in VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) and Industry 4.0. It is explained that the volatility of changes is due to their frequency, instability, and unpredictability, while uncertainty stems from the inability to determine the event's significance or consequences. Complexity arises from the interconnectedness of events and their multiple causal factors.Ambiguity prevails becauseof the lack of precedents for predicting frequently changing events. This article also highlights the impact of Industry 4.0 on the field of public administration, emphasizing the rapid pace of knowledge acquisition that has surpassed human capabilities. This paper proposes that policymakers, practitioners in government agencies, and academicians should consider how they can confront the challenges that come with the new era while capitalizing on the opportunities and threats that arise. It aims to provide insightinto how the field of public administration in the Philippines can navigate this new era. Keywords: Public Administration, Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous (VUCA), Industry 4.0, Pluralistic Epistemologies