공공기관의 ESG활동: 한국도로공사의 사례를 중심으로

This study examines how ESG (environmental, social, and governance) activities conducted by public institutions shape their organizational image, focusing on the case of the Korea Expressway Corporation. Prior literature suggests that corporate social responsibility (CSR) significantly influences consumer and citizen evaluations, trust formation, and image perception. Organizational image is typically structured along two fundamental dimensions: warmth and competence. Social contributions, ethical practices, and community-oriented activities strengthen perceptions of warmth, whereas technological innovation, safety enhancement, and operational excellence reinforce perceptions of competence. Based on this theoretical background, this study systematically categorized a total of 24 ESG activities from the 2025 Sustainability Management Report of Korea Expressway Corporation into activities that enhance warmth and activities that enhance competence. The analysis reveals that programs such as support for socially vulnerable groups, community engagement, and ethical and transparent management contribute to strengthening the warmth dimension by enhancing perceptions of benevolence and moral responsibility. In contrast, initiatives such as improving traffic safety infrastructure, implementing intelligent transportation systems, developing eco-friendly road technologies, and reinforcing governance structures strengthen the competence dimension by highlighting the corporation’s technological ability and operational expertise. These findings indicate that ESG activities of public institutions serve not merely as philanthropic actions but as strategic drivers that shape the public’s cognitive evaluation of the institution, particularly through the dual framework of warmth and competence. The primary contribution of this study lies in presenting an analytical lens that links ESG activities of public institutions to the theoretical structure of organizational image. This framework helps clarify how ESG strategies can enhance public trust, organizational reputation, and perceived public value. Future research should quantitatively verify the effects of ESG activities by type of public institution.