Research on Accountability in the Korean NGOs : Exploring the roles of NPM-driven and Confucian-driven Culture

Altruistically motivated NGOs are increasing their voluntary participation in governmental decision-making processes worldwide. NGOs can be considered important national and social policy makers, or, efficient, reliable, and... [ view full abstract ]

Altruistically motivated NGOs are increasing their voluntary participation in governmental decision-making processes worldwide. NGOs can be considered important national and social policy makers, or, efficient, reliable, and responsible institutions. From the NGO practitioner and researchers point of view, an NGO is required to have an altruism and accountability in place, in order to improve accountability and show that the organization is trustworthy. Today, in South Korea, there are a number of challenges for both government and NGOs when providing social services through various contracting out systems with and within public agencies. Nevertheless, an increasingly persistent problem for government agencies is having too few personnel with contract management, policy, and program expertise to manage the contract process (Kelman 2002a; and Van Slyke 2003). Contract management practices, such as share in savings contracts, best value contracting, and a variety of strategic sourcing arrangements, still remain in their infancy and are not widely used (Kelman 2002b).
Drawing on data from the Korean NGOs Survey datasets (2013), this research investigates three main questions. First, if being implemented and managed effectively, what types of PSM (i.e., rational, norm-based, affective PSM) could most significantly enhance accountability of NGO employees? Second, does the NGO organizational culture (i.e., NPM and Confucian culture) significantly and directly affect accountability? Third, does organizational culture have value congruence with PSM? That is, does it interact with specific PSM in a way that increases the level of accountability (i.e., moderating the effects of the organizational culture)? Using multinomial probit model, this study will proves how different types of public service motivation and organizational culture affect accountability. In addition, this study will suggest theoretical and policy implications for future research in Korean and Chinese public sector.