Efficiency and Productivity of Local Educational Administration in Korea Using the Malmquist Productivity Index

Abstract

As local governments around the world struggle to finance and deliver quality education under fiscal constraints, pressures mount to increase efficiency and productivity in order to obtain more output from the same or fewer resources. Focusing on the case of Korea, this study investigates the productivity of outputs in local offices of education (OEs) through the analysis of personnel and financial factors by year (2012–2016). Overall, the results indicate the efficient operation of the OEs in Korea. The Malmquist productivity index (MPI) mean decreased from 2012 to 2014, increased from 2014 to 2015, and decreased from 2015 to 2016. The rate of chronological change in each OE’s MPI showed the same pattern of change in the distribution ratio of school expenditures. Finally, the MPI had the same pattern as the Technical Change Index. Policy implications are provided.