A Theoretical Exploration on Agricultural Extension Workers' Role Conflict

농촌지도사의 역할갈등에 대한 이론적 탐색

The objectives of this study were to explore theoretically the factors that were associated with role conflict of rural extension educators, to investigate the consequences of this conflict, and to suggest possible solutions to the role conflict. This study was carried out through literature review. The findings from this study were as follows : 1) The causes of role conflict were divided into individual characteristics and social or organizational characteristics. Existing research papers examining the cause of rural extension educators' role conflict had focused mainly on individual characteristics. Therefore, social characteristics of the role conflict should be included in future research activities. 2) The consequences of role conflict were made up of individual dimensions and organizational dimensions. However, pervious researches on rural extension educators' role conflict had dealt with the individual dimensions only. Therefore, the consequences of organizational dimensions should be added to future researches. 3) Revision of roles and job specifications, developing professional competencies, and raising achievement motivation were some of the possible solutions to rural extension educators' role conflict. These solutions, if managed effectively, may improve the performance of extension organizations, as well as that of the individuals by solving the role conflict of rural extension educators.