Factors Affecting the Working Efficiency of Vietnamese Local Civil Servants

Abstract

Local civil servants in Vietnam, especially commune-level civil servants, play a direct role in implementing laws and policies of the central government and higher-level local governments (provincial and district levels) to the people to ensure their legitimate rights and interests. Therefore, the work efficiency of local civil servants is decisive to the effectiveness and prestige of government agencies. In fact, the work efficiency of civil servants is reflected in the progress and quality of performing assigned tasks (professional capacity of civil servants); the attentive service of civil servants and the satisfaction of the people with civil servants (service attitude of civil servants). In this study, the author approaches the work efficiency of civil servants based on two constituent elements, but also plays a role as factors affecting the work efficiency of civil servants, which are the professional capacity of civil servants and the service attitude of civil servants. The author conducted a survey of 240 leaders of commune-level government agencies in 3 provinces representing 3 regions of Vietnam: Nam Dinh Province (North), Quang Binh Province (Central), Binh Duong Province (South). The research results show that local leaders assess that commune-level civil servants have a good service attitude, but their professional capacity is still limited, and need to be trained to equip, update, and supplement to master digital knowledge and skills. From the results of this research, the author discusses the research problem and policy implications for improving knowledge, skills, and expertise for local civil servants in Vietnam.