기초자치단체 직제 순위조정의 기준 정립을 위한 실증 연구:AHP 분석을 활용한 평가항목의 우선순위 도출

This study aims to develop a set of evaluation criteria to guide the hierarchical classification of administrative organizations among basic local governments in South Korea. Traditional approaches to organizational ranking have primarily relied on uniform, population-based standards, which fail to adequately reflect the varying administrative needs and developmental contexts of different regions. To overcome these limitations, this research proposes a multidimensional evaluation framework grounded in organizational capacity theory, historical institutionalism, and administrative norm theory. The framework consists of two principal dimensions: demographic and economic indicators, and living and cultural conditions. To construct the evaluation criteria, the study employed a comprehensive literature review and a Delphi survey involving domain experts. The relative importance of each indicator was determined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The empirical results demonstrate that, in addition to population size, factors such as economic infrastructure, access to public services, and cultural resources play a crucial role in determining the appropriate organizational status of local governments. The proposed framework contributes to a more coherent and legitimate model of organizational design by incorporating principles of administrative autonomy, accountability, public interest, and equity. Drawing on the findings, the study recommends policy directions such as the institutionalization of hierarchy adjustment standards, flexible application tailored to regional characteristics, and continuous improvement of evaluation indicators. Ultimately, this research provides a foundational basis for the structural reorganization of local administration and for advancing substantive local autonomy.