This study explored the efficiency of social welfare services provided by the local governments in South Korea. There were four major research projects; Firstly, the relative efficiency of the social welfare services provided by 234 local government...
This study explored the efficiency of social welfare services provided by the local governments in South Korea. There were four major research projects; Firstly, the relative efficiency of the social welfare services provided by 234 local governments was measured and evaluated. Quantitative evaluation tools used were Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA) and Post-DEA. According to those evaluation results, several local governments were selected as best models. Then, their efficiency scores were ranked, and they became benchmarking units for the next step, a qualitative analysis. Secondly, we analyzed efficiency by such dimensions as operation field, administration system, region, financial independence degree, and population. From this analysis, we could make theoretical and practical implications. Thirdly, a qualitative evaluation was done. Local governments for this step were picked out on the basis of the previous quantitative evaluation. Finally, we proposed plans for efficiency improvement based upon the quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Similarities and differences of the two evaluations were clarified and used for the proposal.
The unique points of this research were as followings; The community welfare systems of major countries and those of Korean local governments were compared and some implications were made for the Korean government. It is also notable that various evaluation methods were applied for the efficiency evaluation. Two quantitative methods, DEA and Post-DEA, and a qualitative methods were used. Furthermore, we proposed a comprehensive evaluation model which integrated input variables, output variables, control variables, quantitative evaluation, and qualitative evaluation methods. From this model, a dynamic evaluation rationale and more persuasive findings could be made.
The subjects of this study were the data from 234 local governments during the years between 2000 and 2004. From the quantitative evaluation, we found that less than a half of local governments possessed efficient social welfare- service systems. The efficiency of the welfare system for the aged people was rapidly increased. The efficiency of self-managed provinces also got high scores. We expected high efficiency in the near future in such sectors as the middle-western region, local governments with low financial independence degree, and those with a small population.
On the basis of the qualitative evaluation, we could find the good fitness of our DEA model. In addition, we found that some factors such as leadership, volunteer services, and participation of the residents were not included in the quantitative evaluation, but they were also key factors increasing the efficiency of the welfare system.