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Research Trends in the Field of Local Government and Administration: An Analysis of Articles Published in Korean Society and Public Administration, 1991-2012

  • Korean Society and Public Administration
  • Abbr : KSPA
  • 2013, 24(2), pp.125-151
  • Publisher : Seoul Association For Public Administration
  • Research Area : Social Science > Public Administration

Ha, Hyue-Su 1 Choi, Young-chool 2

1경북대학교
2충북대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study explicates research trends in the field of local government and administration through the analysis of 132 papers published in Korean Society and Public Administration between 1991 and 2012. Along with traditional methods of classification, Network Text Analysis is used to identify and analyze the individual and relational attributes of words occurring in each paper. The analysis results may be summarized as follows. First, the most prevalent areas of research include performance evaluation, internal administrative management, and inter-governmental relations. Second, between 1990 and 1999, inter-governmental relations (decentralization), local finance, and performance evaluation attracted the most academic attention, whereas between 2000 and 2012, there was more interest in internal organizational management and citizen participation, and inter-governmental relations and decentralization. Third, in terms of research methodology, literature reviews have tended to dominate, while there have been fewer international comparative analyses. However, from 2000 onwards, the number of published papers employing statistical analysis and/or case studies has increased. In addition, the proportion of papers associated with policy orientation, and particularly policy diagnosis and suggestions, has increased over time. This suggests that the journal, tasked with diagnosing administrative conditions and practices and putting forward policy alternatives, has been fulfilling its academic mission. Finally, it may be noted that endeavors to examine and apply theories developed internationally have been rare, indicating an area where improvements can be made in studies of local administration so as to better meet both academic and practical needs.

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