Work Autonomy and Outcomes: Trend of Innovations in Korean Public-sector Organizations
Janiscus Pieter Tanesab

Abstract
Modern work environments, including such innovations as remote work-stations and telecommuting employees, require creative approaches to improve the effectiveness of self-management. This paper examines relationships between work autonomy, performance, and public service satisfaction mediated by trends of innovations in public-sector organizations. It aims to describe causal effect of work autonomy on 1) work performance, and 2) public service satisfaction as outcomes through the contribution of innovation on employee management. The study addresses empirical issues in Korean public-sector organizations and concepts of work autonomy, work performance, public service satisfaction and organizational innovations based on self-determination and innovation diffusion theory. Using survey data of Korean Institute of Public Administration (KIPA), the research applied structural equation modeling for the analysis. The results show that work autonomy positively shaped employees’ capacities for better work performance development and public service satisfaction. Those components are triggered by the power of competitive innovations by Korean public-sector organizations. The study highlights the importance of people innovation as an influential factor on work autonomy, performance and public service satisfaction. This suggests that organizations need to concern with work autonomy-based innovations for creative work performance and increase service satisfaction for public-sector organizations.

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