Governance is currently becoming a hot issue in public administration. It includes gathering opinions, the compromise, negotiation, co-provision of public service and network. Especially the international organizations like World Bank and EU treat gov...
Governance is currently becoming a hot issue in public administration. It includes gathering opinions, the compromise, negotiation, co-provision of public service and network. Especially the international organizations like World Bank and EU treat governance as an important factor in the condition of good government. Some say governance is the most important business of government.
Since the beginning of local autonomy, the demands of the citizens on the local government have increased constantly. They want to get a variety of services and expect the highest quality of service. The inflexibility of the public adminstration system makes it difficult for the local government to sufficiently meet these demands and it also costs a lot to serve the special services demanded. One way for the local government to supply specific public services is to network with citizens.
Networking with community has a lot of benefit. First of all, networking makes it possible to offer the service which is demanded by the residents with minimum cost and on time. It raises the quality of public service, transparency, competency and stakeholders' satisfaction.
Furthermore, it brings positive results to the community. It satisfies residents' desire to take part in the local autonomy and it gives them meaning of life and worth of living. They together make the community active. And it makes their community better to live in than other region.
The purpose of this dissertation is to present the factors for promoting community networks required for good governance. The methodology used to fulfill this purpose is a questionnaire study and a case study.
The questionnaire was distributed to both the residents and the civil servants before analysis. Problems in setting up the network with the community were extracted from the answer.
Despite the environment of Geumcheon-gu has many limiting factors with regard to establishing networks, there are cases which show the collaboration using networks between local government and community. From these cases the factors to work networks were extracted in this dissertation.
Here are four case studies from Geumcheon gu, which is an autonomous gu of Seoul Metropolitan City. Firstly Shiheung 3-dong green parking project, secondly Geumcheon women's welfare consultation office, thirdly Hambak-smile and finally Gathering for the Geumcheon Han nae(river) are the cases selected. These cases were analyzed according to the framework of institution, regional characteristic, social capital, self governing body and communication.
All factors constitute the cases. But the most important factor is an actor, who is the subject of the network. Institution has an instrumental role in the network and it can be complemented by the people. But actors can make the network move.
Under the same institution we can expect better results from an activated network, therefore increasing their potential for higher outputs with tangible benefits. Some say urbanization makes the community dry and desolate. However, we can find that groups which give life to the community. If the local government support them a little and they work together they can create greater efficiencies resulting in the residents being more satisfied.
Many respondents say that the institution helps to promote the networks. This study shows that we can achieve better results from the network and participants achieve better outcomes when the environment of the community is reflected. The conclusion from the study is as follows.
First, the opinions and environments of community should be reflected in the initial stage with the head of the local government actively supporting the network.
Second, the most appropriate persons should be selected as participants. The work should be managed on a mutually beneficial basis. Compensation should be offered materially, mentally or part of both to the participants.
Third, program and technic for the institution management should be cultivated, and the participants should build trust by keeping the final decisions between the participants.
Forth, participants should accept the role in the part which they can do best with both leaders and helpers who being elected.
Fifth, a variety of the communication paths should be maintained, and an equal relationship should be kept on the mutual basis of respect.
Sixth, support for the participants including potential participants and the past participants should be extensive in order to activate the network. The core of the network is the stakeholders who ultimately constitute the network. Participant support should be continually maintained to motivate the purpose, therefore giving the opportunity to be educated and keep their personal disposition.
Lastly, the results for the activity should be returned to the network in order to continually develop the network. And the process should be repeated.