사회적기업과 외부조직과의 관계에 대한 연구: 조직간 신뢰의 매개효과

Abstract

Social enterprises in South Korea now face problems with independence due to the absence of management skills and a scarcity of internal resources. To make the social enterprises more independent, it is necessary to combine diverse resources through close association with external bodies. The purpose of this study is to develop a plan to make social enterprises establish a cooperative relationship with external bodies through empirical research. For this purpose, the following questions were set: First, does connection with external bodies affect the strategic relations on a network? Second, does connection with external bodies affect inter-organizational reliability? Third, does inter-organizational reliability have mediating effects between the networking characteristics and the strategic relations on a network? Independent variables in this study are the connection size and the connection strength, which are sub-variables of connection with external bodies, and dependent variables are definite goal and vision sharing, multiplicity of usage, and resource sharing for mutual benefits, which are sub-variables of the strategic relations on a network, in order to determine the mediating effects of inter-organizational reliability. Questionnaires were distributed to the managers of 300 social enterprises certified by the Ministry of Employment and Labor around the country by post or via e-mail; then, 31 copies were returned and were used in the final analysis. The data were processed using correlation coefficient analysis, t-test, and regression analysis. The main results of the analysis are as follows: First, the strength of connection with external bodies had significant effects on inter-organizational reliability. The connection strength statistically positively affected definite goal and vision sharing, multiplicity of usage, and resource sharing for mutual benefits, which are sub-variables of the strategic relations on a network. Second, the connection strength had significant effects on inter-organizational reliability. The long-term and repetitive interactions reduce uncertainty of the others' behavior, consequently contributing to formation of inter-organizational reliability. Third, inter-organizational reliability had mediating effects between the connection with external bodies and the strategic relations on a network. When all of the three variables―the strength of connection with external bodies, inter-organizational reliability, and the strategic relations on a network―were measured at the same time, the connection strength had no statistically significant effects on inter-organizational reliability, whereas inter-organizational reliability had significant effects on the strategic relations on a network. The long-term and repetitive inter-organizational interactions form reliability and organizations that have formed reliability can develop strategic relations. This study presented a plan to overcome problems and limitations faced by social enterprises through association with external bodies. Social enterprises need to use human and material resources efficiently by sharing goals and visions with their associated organizations so that they can have a sustainable form. They can make strategic resource linkage and establish a cooperative relationship through collaboration and form the basis of stable growth.