Citizen evaluation of administrative responsiveness: Local government in South Korea

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine citizens' perceptions of the administrative responsiveness of local governments in South Korea. In 1992, South Korea began to decentralize its governmental system. This dissertation focuses on citizens' perceptions of changes in administrative responsiveness and their satisfaction with local services since decentralization in South Korea. Particularly, this dissertation explores factors that may enhance the administrative responsiveness of local governments in South Korea. Four hypotheses are tested, and local government behaviors that will improve administrative responsiveness to their citizens are identified.The research findings from this dissertation indicate that: (1) citizens perceive citizen participation as the most important factor which can enhance the degree of administrative responsiveness to their demands and needs (2) public officials' professionalism in performing public service is the second most significant factor enhancing perceptions of administrative responsiveness and, lastly, (3) consumerism in public administration is the least influential variable in enhancing perceived administrative responsiveness. In addition, the study found that citizens' satisfaction with public services they are provided is highly affected by the perceived administrative responsiveness of public officials and local governments.In sum, increasing administrative responsiveness to citizens' demands is a worthy objective for those performing public services. Governments need to emphasize improving their responsiveness if they are to increase citizens' satisfaction with their local governments.In terms of its theoretical and statistical analyses, this study employs a questionnaire to assess perceived administrative responsiveness. The survey instrument on administrative responsiveness was administered to 484 citizens and 228 public officials. The data are analyzed using statistical methods cross-tabulations, correlation coefficients, multiple regression analysis in testing hypotheses, and t-tests for comparing perceptions of citizens and public officials.