Public Research Projects

  1. Project Title: Designing Collaborative Governance for Digital Transformation

    Funding Agency: Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI), Republic of Korea.

    Principal Investigator: Hyun Joon Kim

    Collaborators: Ukjun Sung, Junmo An, Seokjin Eom, Yeongjun Choi, Sijeoung Kim, & Sunhee Kim

    Role: Researcher

    • Tasks included literature review and case studies.

    Amount: KRW ₩100,000,000 (Approximately $80,000)

    Period: March – November 2021

    • Recently, with the implementation of policies related to digital transformation and the realization of their effects, the political and social benefits and threats, as well as positive and negative prospects, are diverging. This study aims to explore the impact of new technologies on our public life and administration in the era of digital transformation, examine the role of the government in this process, and assess the potential for a shift towards a new governance paradigm.

    Status: Funded

  2. Project Title: The Improvement of the Effectiveness of the Educational Administration Audit

    Funding Agency: Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea.

    Principal Investigator: Kwang-ho Sim

    Collaborators: Cheouljoo Lee & Seonghoon Choi

    Role: Researcher

    • Tasks included literature review, case studies, survey data collection and quantitative analysis.

    Amount: KRW ₩70,000,000 (Approximately $55,000)

    Period: July 2020 – July 2021

    • Despite ongoing educational administration audits, recurring findings and corruption persist. We propose a new paradigm to proactively address these issues, focusing on identifying root causes, providing targeted education, and strengthening risk management. Our approach aims to eliminate repeated corruption in education, suggesting policy alternatives, inducing system improvements, and leveraging the expertise of the Ministry of Education’s audit bodies for enhanced effectiveness.

    Status: Funded

  3. Project Title: The ‘Decoupling’ Experienced by Employees of Public Research Institute in the Use of Performance Information

    Funding Agency: Korea University Graduate School, Republic of Korea.

    Principal Investigator: Seongdeok Oh

    • Tasks as a Researcher (PI) included literature review, interviews, grounded theory approach, analysis, draft and final report.

    Amount: KRW ₩3,000,000 (Approximately $2,500)

    Period: July 2019 – July 2020

    • This study delves into the decoupling phenomenon within public research institutes, examining the gap between performance creation and its actual utilization in processes like performance planning, measurement, evaluation, and utilization. Using a grounded theory paradigm analysis model, we explore the structural relationship between the performance management system and the behaviors of institute members. This exploratory, descriptive study aims to identify key themes in the decoupling phenomenon, offering insights into how public research institute members utilize performance information.

    Status: Funded

  4. Project Title: Organizational Diagnosis of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy: Changing the Policy Environment and Seeking the Ideal Direction

    Funding Agency: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Republic of Korea.

    Principal Investigator: Sangwook Park

    Collaborators: Jiung Yoon, Illhwan Jung, Bomi Kim, & Myeongrok Do.

    Role: Researcher

    • Tasks included analysis of organization, foreign countries case studies, supporting interview, and drafting of final report.

    Amount: KRW ₩80,000,000 (Approximately $60,000)

    Period: January – June 2019

    • In South Korea’s 4th industrial revolution, a shift towards a post-chasing strategy focusing on disruptive innovation and new industry creation is crucial. Fostering a private sector innovation ecosystem is vital to succeed, and the government must adapt proactively to changing policy demands, enhancing agility for survival. The country’s industrial technology policy should evolve into a comprehensive system emphasizing the linkage between research, innovation, and production. Organizational restructuring is also needed to bridge the gap between research and industrial policies. This study aims to analyze policy demand changes, propose improved strategies in industry, energy, trade, and information communication technology, and suggest optimal organizational structures.

    Status: Funded

  5. Project Title: Survey on University R&D Management and its Policy Implications

    Funding Agency: Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP) , Republic of Korea.

    Principal Investigator: Sangwook Park

    Collaborators: Jongbok Park, Gyeongjun Oh, Sangun Yoo, Wontae Ko, & Geonhui Kim.

    Role: Researcher

    • Tasks included literature review, data collection, survey quantitative analysis, and drafting final report.

    Amount: KRW ₩50,000,000 (Approximately $40,000)

    Period: August - December 2018

    • The research aims to analyze the current state and challenges of research administration and support services, focusing on understanding the needs of on-site researchers. It also seeks to strengthen industry-academic cooperation units, improve the relationship between universities and industrial complexes, and enhance the administrative efficiency and well-being of student researchers. The overarching goal is to advance and streamline research administration practices for a more effective and supportive ecosystem.

    Status: Funded

  6. Project Title: The Practical Method of Regulatory Consultation for Improving Policy Effectiveness

    Funding Agency: Korea Institute of Public Administration (KIPA), Republic of Korea.

    Principal Investigator: Minho Lee

    Collaborators: Shin Kim, Jaeho Eun, Jinsik Choi, Myongjin Kim, &Yujin Choi.

    Role: Research Assistant

    • Tasks included literature review and foreign countries case studies.

    Period: November - December 2018

    • This project uniquely focuses on overcoming obstacles that hinder the expansion of regulatory consensus in the current policy process, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of regulatory consensus. It aims to define and develop tailored mechanisms at each stage, considering stakeholder and public involvement, and strategically selecting consensus-building approaches. Additionally, the research seeks to institutionalize the principles of social value and consensus advocated by the current administration in the regulatory reform process, promoting societal participation and dialogue.

    Status: Funded

  7. Project Title: A Study on the Types of Use and Factors Influencing the Use of Performance Information in Public Research Institutions: Focusing on Government-funded Research Institutes in the Science and Technology Sector

    Funding Agency: Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP) , Republic of Korea.

    Principal Investigator: Seongdeok Oh

    • Tasks as a Researcher (PI) included literature review, survey design, data collection, survey quantitative analysis, and drafting final report.

    Amount: KRW ₩2,000,000 (Approximately $1,500)

    Period: July - December 2017

    • This project explores the use of performance information in South Korean science and technology governmental research institutions. Recognizing the broader goal of performance management, the research addresses a gap in understanding how performance evaluation outcomes are utilized and the influencing factors in this specific context. The study proposes an integrated research model and conducts surveys targeting personnel in these institutions to gain insights into factors affecting performance information use.

    Status: Funded

  8. Project Title: Development of Audit in Education and Arts

    Funding Agency: Korea Institute of Public Administration (KIPA), Republic of Korea.

    Principal Investigator: Kwang-ho Sim

    Collaborators: Cheouljoo Lee

    Role: Researcher

    • Tasks included case studies, supporting data collection, cleaning, survey quantitative and content analysis.

    Amount: KRW ₩40,000,000 (Approximately $30,000)

    Period: May - December 2016

    • This project highlights the Superintendent of Education’s role in auditing educational and cultural affairs based on local autonomy laws. Given deficiencies in the current audit system and independence within education offices, the research focuses on consolidating and analyzing audit results, identifying policy errors, and developing a model to enhance the independence and professionalism of educational and cultural affairs audits.

    Status: Funded

  9. Project Title: Evaluation of the Government-Funded Research Institutes Under Ministry of Science and ICT

    Funding Agency: Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea.

    Principal Investigator: Juho Lee

    Collaborators: Jihyun Seo, Seungtae Kim, Researcher Taeyun Kim, Namhyo Kim, & Suhyeon Chung.

    Role: Researcher

    • Tasks included supporting performance measurement, evaluation, editing and drafting final reports.

    Amount: KRW ₩500,000,000 (Approximately $430,000)

    Period: January 2015 - December 2016

    • This project aims to assess the management performance and research outcomes of participating research institutions to improve the efficiency of research and development investments. It aligns with legal frameworks such as the “Act on the Performance Evaluation and Management of National Research and Development Projects” and the “Framework Act on Science and Technology,” utilizing a structured system involving ministries, committees, and research councils for self-assessment.

    Status: Funded