Informatization Policy (정보화정책)

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Research Administration Efficiency of Science & Technology Research Institutes: Advancing Computer Systems and Burnout

과학기술 공공연구조직의 연구행정 효율성: 전산시스템 고도화와 직무소진에 대한 탐색적 이해

  • Received : 2023.10.13
  • Accepted : 2024.01.15
  • Published : 2024.03.31
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Abstract

This study seeks to shed light on the importance of "advancing administrative computer systems" for research administration efficiency, building upon prior literature, and aims at extending the scholarly discussion on the efficiency of research administration itself. To this end, two research questions were addressed. First, this research explores how research administrators perceive the advocated "advancement of administrative computer systems" in achieving research administration efficiency. Second, it investigates how external bureaucratic control affects burnout among administrative personnel engaged in research administration, and how burnout impacts the research-administration relationship, trust, and ultimately performance. The analysis of interviews and surveys yielded several results. For one, through the analysis of interviews conducted in the field of government-funded research institutions, it was found that "advancing computer systems" is met with practical concerns and skepticism, while also recognized as having the potential to contribute to the efficiency of research administration. Furthermore, it became evident that complex issues are intertwined. From a contrasting standpoint opposing computer advancement, the view that institutional regulations and cultural efficiency should take precedence over technology appears valid and raises a crucial point for consideration. On the other hand, regression analysis related to burnout shows empirical evidence that increased control by central government bureaucrats over administrative staff in government-funded research institutions leads to higher levels of burnout. Such elevated burnout is shown to have detrimental effects on trust between researchers and administrative personnel, as well as on overall performance. Through these discussions, we aim to stimulate academic and government interest in research administration efficiency.

본 연구는 선행문헌을 발전시켜 연구행정 효율성을 위해 '행정전산시스템 고도화'가 중요하게 조명되어야 함을 역설하고, 연구행정 자체 효율성에 대한 학문적 논의를 연장하고자 한다. 이에, 두 가지 연구 질문에 답하고자 하였다. 하나는 본 연구가 연구행정 효율성을 위해 주장하는 '행정전산시스템 고도화'에 대해 연구행정 담당자들은 어떻게 생각하는지에 대한 것이고, 다른 하나는 (외부관료)통제가 연구행정에 종사하는 행정인력의 직무소진에 미치는 영향이 어떻게 나타나는지 그리고 직무소진은 연구-행정 관계 및 신뢰에 어떤 영향을 주고, 궁극적으로 성과에 어떻게 영향을 미치는지에 대한 것이다. 인터뷰 및 설문을 통한 분석 결과는 다음과 같다. 출연연 현장의 인터뷰 분석을 통해, '전산시스템 고도화'는 현실적인 우려와 의심을 가지고 있음과 동시에 연구행정 효율화에 기여할 수 있는 가능성이 있음을 확인하게 된다. 또한 복잡한 문제가 얽혀있음도 보게 된다. '전산시스템 고도화'에 반대하는 입장에서는 전산보다는 제도·규정·문화 효율화가 먼저라는 의견은 일견 타당한 측면이 있고 숙고해야 할 매우 중요한 지적이라 판단한다. 한편 직무소진과 관련된 회귀분석을 통해 출연연 행정직에 대한 중앙정부 관료의 통제가 증가하면 직무소진이 커지는 경향을 실증적으로 보여준다. 이렇게 증가한 직무소진은 연구자-행정인 신뢰에 악영향을 주게 됨을 확인하고, 성과에도 안 좋은 영향을 주는 흐름을 보여준다. 이상의 논의를 통해 연구행정 효율성에 대한 학계 및 정부의 관심을 촉구하고자 한다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work is partially based on the Policy Report for NST titled 'A Study on the Effective Administrative System for GRI (2019),' and was supported by the Gachon University research fund of 2023.(GCU-202305030001)

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