The Korea Local Administration Review

This study analyzed how the geographic dispersion of central government departments influenced on the decision quality in public policy-making. We divided sub-variables of geographic dispersion into face-to-face contact, time pressure, and group discussion, and policy typology into routine policy, non-routine policy, and multi-departmental policy on the theoretical basis. To find out impacts of geographic dispersion on decision quality, we carried out mainly in-depth interview with directors and heads of the departments who play the key role in public policy-making. The analysis results are as followings. First, in cases of routine policy the impacts of geographic dispersion were insignificant, because government has overcome the troubles through the practical use of electronic approval and SNS. Second, in cases of non-routine policy the geographic dispersion had the negative impacts on the decision quality by the decreased opportunities of face-to-face contact and group discussions, but the increased time pressure to review. Third, in cases of multi-departmental policy the geographic dispersion also had the negative impacts on the decision quality due to increased time pressure and work overload of high-rank officials. Finally, we suggested that Korean government have to search the alternatives to cope that problem since the geographic dispersion decreased the accuracy and timeliness of public policy-making.

□ Keywords: Sejong City, Decision Quality, Routine Policy, Non-routine Policy