Linking quality of government to outcomes of civil service training: evidence from southeast asian countries

ABSTRACT

Despite the growing body of evidence about quality of government, few studies have applied the results to the outcomes of civil service training programmes. Given that the development of civil service capacity is a key driver of national development, this study explores the nexus between quality of government in Southeast Asian countries and the outcomes of civil service training programmes. Using a survey of Southeast Asian civil servants who participated in capacity development programmes organised by various Korean institutions, this study examines trainees’ perceptions of quality of government, the capacity needs of their civil services, and the limitations of and improvements in existing capacity development programmes. This study offers theoretical and practical implication concerning associations between quality of government and the effectiveness of official development assistance training programmes for civil servants in developing countries.

KEYWORDS:

• Quality of government
• civil service training
• development assistance
• Southeast Asia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The results of the variance inflation factor (VIF) tests indicate that the two models do not suffer from multicollinearity among the independent variables since no mean VIF score is greater than 2.0. The mean VIF score for model 1 is 1.77, and the mean VIF score for model 2 is 1.95. We also conducted White’s Test (chi-square = 207.47), the results of which suggest that there is no heteroskedasticity problem. The Hausman Test and the Jarque-Bera normality test were also conducted, and the results suggest that the models have no endogeneity or normality problems.

2. The reason for variation in both transfer and field application effects among countries is not clear. It should be further explored in future studies based on various data sources.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Public Administration [KIPA 2020-16]; National Research Foundation of Korea [NRF-2017S1A3A2067636].

Notes on contributors

Hyeon-Suk Lyu

Hyeon-Suk Lyu is a senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Public Administration which is a government-funded research institute. The areas of her research include public management, digital government, and public sector reform.

Tae Hyung Kim

Tae Hyung Kim is a researcher at the Korea Institute of Public Administration which is a government-funded research institute. The areas of her research include comparative public policy, public management, and local government.

Daeun Sung

Daeun Sung is a research assistant at the Korea Institute of Public Administration. which is a government-funded research institute. The areas of her research include public management and public sector reform.

M. Jae Moon

M. Jae Moon (Corresponding Author) is Underwood Distinguished Professor and Dean of College of Social Sciences of Yonsei University. The areas of his research include digital government, public sector reforms, and comparative public policy.