The Korea Local Administration Review

This study focuses on investigating changes of local governmentalorganizations, which was not systematically addressed in previous studiesrelated to local governmental consolidation. In order to make progress, thisstudy conducted a survey on the Changwon city integrated with Masan andJinhea cities. Specifically, we analyzed if the civil servants’ ex-ante concernabout changes resulting from administrative organizations and duties arise inreality or not, because worry on the consolidation was groundless overcare.The analytic results present that negative perception have been formed intrust between group members, redundancy of works, possibility of promotion,and so on. These findings interestingly are opposed to the results whichexperts expected before the consolidation. However, ex-ante concerns aboutwork adjustment of officials in charge change to more positive perception,which this finding contributes for civil servants to have positive perception onthe consolidation.However, the clique within the organization, conflicts caused by differentorganizational culture, and unfair promotion which were expected before theconsolidation still happened in after the consolidation. If these limitations arenot corrected, they might reinforce the negative perception on consolidation.Therefore, policy decision makers need to systematically and carefully managethe issues which can cause or even reinforce negative perception onconsolidation.
□ Keywords: Consolidation of Local Government, Organizational Change,Territorial Reform of Municipality