Former Dongjak-gu Deputy Mayor Ryu Je-hwan Receives PhD in Public Administration for 'Analysis of Factors Influencing Organizational Silence'

Chairman Ryu highlights the significance and importance of organizational silence among local government officials, identifies causes of silence, and proposes effective management strategies in his doctoral dissertation in Public Administration at Soongsil University, drawing attention.

Ryu Je-hwan, Chairman of Dongjak Welfare Foundation

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Ryu Jehwan, chairman of the Dongjak Welfare Foundation and former deputy mayor of Dongjak-gu, has attracted attention by earning a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Soongsil University with a dissertation titled "An Exploratory Study on Factors Influencing Organizational Silence."

Chairman Ryu stated in his thesis that his goal is to clarify the meaning and importance of organizational silence within local government officials, identify the causes that trigger this silence, and propose effective management strategies.

He also described that organizational silence?where employees with opinions or ideas choose not to speak up?hinders innovation and change within organizations. Understanding the factors influencing such silence and managing them effectively holds significant meaning, especially in the context of the recently emphasized proactive administration.

In particular, based on his extensive experience as a conscientious public official who has personally witnessed and recognized the harm caused by organizational silence in the public sector, Chairman Ryu was the first to identify factors influencing organizational silence among frontline local government officials who provide direct public services to citizens, and to suggest effective management measures.

Additionally, he examined whether public service motivation moderates the effects of perceived organizational politics and supervisors’ leadership on organizational silence.

The thesis also presented an alternative approach, noting that perceived organizational politics and supervisors’ leadership increase negative organizational silence (resigned silence, defensive silence) through public service motivation. Therefore, to manage the negative impacts of organizational silence, it is necessary to reduce the extent to which members perceive the organization politically.

Chairman Ryu recalled that although he regarded public service as his vocation and diligently fulfilled his duties over many years, he always felt a sense of personal inadequacy and a thirst for learning during his tenure.

To fill these gaps and quench his thirst for knowledge, he passionately and earnestly pursued and obtained his Ph.D. in Public Administration.

After leaving public service following his role as deputy mayor of Dongjak-gu, Chairman Ryu currently lectures on Public Administration and Urban Regeneration at Korea Open Cyber University. Even after retirement, he continues to impart academic research and practical experience to students based on his field administrative experience.

Chairman Ryu is recognized as a person who achieved his lifelong academic dream with strong passion and responsibility for his duties, and a rational character. He expressed his commitment to continue leading by example and practicing sharing and community service in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.