Public Value

Overview

Public Value (ISSN 2435-3337) is an international academic journal that academically explores the formation and meaning of public value, focusing on human life, culture, and art. Starting with Vol. 4, no 2, 2019, the journal changed its name from the “International Journal of Criminal Study” (ISSN 2423-8783) to “Public Value,” reestablishing its research scope and academic identity to better reflect the broader scope of value research. This name change reflects an academic shift away from a limited approach centered on criminology to a comprehensive examination of public value encompassing human life, culture, and the arts.

Public Value is not limited to specific policy outcomes or institutional outcomes, but rather expands to encompass the dignity of human life, cultural meaning, aesthetic experience, and artistic expression. By accumulating theoretical, empirical, and interpretive research on public value, the journal aims to academically elucidate the process by which value is formed, shared, and maintained in the public sphere.

This journal actively encourages interdisciplinary research across various academic disciplines, based on the recognition that public value is a key element in determining the quality of life of members of society and the direction of communities. Through this, it aims to analyze the mechanisms of public value creation and its social significance from various perspectives in contemporary society.

Public Value, in particular, focuses on the Value of Life as a core research area, focusing on human dignity, well-being, quality of life, social inclusion, and ethical foundations. This research provides important academic contributions to understanding the normative foundations of social systems and public policies.
Furthermore, this journal recognizes culture as a core component of public value and, through research analyzing cultural identity, cultural heritage, collective memory, cultural policy, and the social function of culture, it academically elucidates the role and value of culture in the public sphere. Furthermore, it addresses beauty and the arts as important forms of public value expression, exploring the relationships between artistic creation and aesthetic experience, arts governance, cultural and arts institutions, and art and publicness, thereby illuminating how beauty and the arts shape social meaning and public value.

Public Value aims to expand the academic understanding of publicness through value research centered on human life, establishing itself as an international journal that combines academic rigor and interpretive depth. Furthermore, through research that encompasses cultural and international perspectives, it aims to present a new academic horizon for public value research.

Aims & Scope

Publishing Schedule

• An Ecological Process Model of International Student Settlement -Linking Affective and Structural Dimensions of Settlement

  Purpose: This study aims to reconceptualize the settlement of international students not as a static outcome but as a dynamic ecological process. It seeks to redefine settlement through an integrated framework that captures the relational and interactive nature of psychological adaptation, institutional stabilization, and social integration. Method: The study adopts a theoretical synthesis approach, integrating Berry’s (1997) cultural adaptation theory, Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory, and Bourdieu’s (1986) theory of social capital. Through conceptual analysis, settlement is modeled as a dual-circulation structure in which affective and structural dimensions mutually reinforce one another within a relational ecosystem. Results: The findings conceptualize settlement as an ecological and relational process composed of three inter-related dimensions: affective settlement, structural settlement, and integration. Settlement emerges as a dynamic ecosystem where psychological, institutional, and social factors continuously interact, rather than as a fixed or linear stage. This framework shifts the analytical focus from individual adjustment to relational and systemic conditions of settlement. Conclusion: This study advances the discourse from “settlement support” to “relational design,” emphasizing the need for a sustainable settlement ecosystem. Policy implications include the establishment of region–university–government networks to support international student settlement. Educationally, the study suggests the development of a settlement-based Korean language curriculum that integrates language education with cultural understanding and social participation.

  2026.01.12

  Keyword:International Students, Settlement Ecology, Cultural Adaptation, Ecological Systems Theory, Social Capital
  Abstract PDF Links
• The Impacts of ADHD Tendencies on Mental Health in Elementary School Students: Mediating Effects of Optimism

  Purpose: The mental health of elementary school students in South Korea has reached a critical threshold, with a growing number of students exhibiting 'ADHD tendencies'—a condition where core symptoms are present but fall below the threshold for a formal diagnosis. The primary objective of this study was to empirically analyze the direct impact of these ADHD tendencies on mental health outcomes, specifically depression and anxiety, among elementary school students. Furthermore, this study aimed to verify the mediating effect of optimism, a positive psychological asset, to determine if it functions as a protective factor in the relationship between ADHD tendencies and mental health deterioration. Method: To achieve these objectives, data were collected from 407 elementary school students in grades 4 through 6 located in the capital area. The participants completed self-report surveys assessing ADHD tendencies, mental health (depression and anxiety), and dispositional optimism. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis to ensure data validity. Subsequently, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to compare model fit and verify the structural relationships among variables, and boot-strapping analysis was conducted to test the significance of the mediating effects. Results: The comprehensive results of the analysis are as follows. First, ADHD tendencies in elementary school students were found to have a significant positive direct effect on mental health problems, indicating that higher levels of ADHD symptoms directly exacerbate depression and anxiety. Second, ADHD tendencies were found to significantly reduce the level of optimism in students. Third, optimism was identified as a partial mediator in the relationship between ADHD tendencies and mental health. This reveals a specific pathway where ADHD tendencies deplete a child’s optimism, which in turn accelerates the deterioration of their mental health. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ADHD tendencies, often situated in a diagnostic blind spot, act as a core risk factor threatening the mental health of elementary students regardless of formal diagnosis. The study highlights that the 'loss spiral' of psychological resources, such as optimism, plays a crucial role in this process. Therefore, effective interventions for students with ADHD tendencies should not be limited to symptom management but must also include strategies to preserve and enhance positive psychological capital, such as optimism, to buffer against mental health risks.

  2026.01.12

  Keyword:ADHD Tendency, Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, Optimism
  Abstract PDF Links
• Wireless Power of Smart Society: Public Value Challenges and Governance Solutions

  Purpose: This paper aims to examine how Wireless Power Transfer (WPT), as an emerging foundational infra-structure for smart societies, can simultaneously create and distort public value. While WPT promises efficiency, convenience, and new business opportunities across smart homes, smart cities, and Internet of Things (IoT) eco-systems, it also raises complex public value challenges related to safety, privacy, equity, sustainability, and democratic governance. Method: The study adopts public value theory and the risk society perspective as its analytical framework. It first outlines the key technological features of WPT and its envisioned role in smart societies. It then conducts a conceptual and literature-based analysis to assess the implications of WPT infrastructures for public value creation and erosion. Results: The analysis identifies five major public value concerns associated with WPT deployment: (1) safety and health uncertainties arising from electromagnetic field exposure; (2) privacy and data governance risks in sensor-rich environments; (3) issues of energy justice and infrastructural inequality; (4) environmental sustainability challenges, including increased electronic waste; and (5) platform monopolization and the erosion of public control over critical infra-structures. To address these challenges, the paper proposes governance solutions such as adaptive regulatory frameworks, privacy-by-design principles, public-value-based infrastructure standards, energy justice mechanisms, accountable public–private partnerships, and international standardization efforts. Conclusion: The central argument of the paper is that WPT should be governed as a public infrastructure rather than as a purely market-driven or technology-driven innovation. Its design and deployment must be aligned with collectively defined public values. The study concludes by outlining implications for policymakers, industry stake-holders, and future research on the responsible governance of smart-society technologies.

  2026.01.12

  Keyword:Wireless Power Transfer, Smart Society, Public Value, Governance, Energy Justice
  Abstract PDF Links
• Play-Based Learning, Higher Education, University Education, Learning Engagement, Self-Directed Learning

  Purpose: This study investigates the sculptural characteristics and cultural significance of the Barigongju gache used in the Seoul Saenamgut ritual through a Craft-Based Research framework. It aims to clarify how the mythological identity and ritual role of Barigongju are materialized through the sculptural form and structural logic of the gache, thereby repositioning shamanic ritual studies toward a form-centered analytical perspective. Method: This research is grounded in a review of prior studies on Barigongju mythology, Jinogigut and Saenamgut rituals, traditional gache, and shamanic head ornaments. A Barigongju gache produced for actual ritual performance is examined through visual analysis of photographic materials, with particular attention to structural organization, spatial composition, symbolic ornamentation, and craft-based sculptural decision-making embedded in the production process. Results: The analysis demonstrates that the gache visually articulates the hierarchical status of Barigongju as a princess deity and her mediating role in guiding the soul of the deceased. This is achieved through a stable lower structure, an upward-oriented vertical expansion, and a hierarchical concentration of decorative elements, which collectively interact with bodily movement during ritual performance. Conclusion: The findings confirm that the Barigongju gache functions not merely as a decorative object but as a ritual sculpture integrating mythological narrative, ritual practice, and skilled craftsmanship. By adopting a Craft-Based Research approach, this study underscores the methodological potential of sculptural analysis for advancing the understanding of shamanic ritual art as a living and continuously practiced cultural tradition. Furthermore, the documentation of specific techniques—such as braiding 108 strands to maintain the arched Yeonhwamun—provides a concrete record of the artisan’s symbolic decision-making. This detailed craft data offers a practical framework for the digital archiving of shamanic ritual ornaments as intangible cultural heritage. Ultimately, the study pro-poses a standardized reference model for the development of traditional craft education content and future cultural preservation initiatives.

  2026.01.12

  Keyword:Barigongju Gache, Seoul Saenamgut, Shamanic Ritual Sculpture, Craft-Based Research, Intangible Cultural Heritage
  Abstract PDF Links
• Utilizing Play-Based Learning in Higher Education: A Focus Group Study of University Students’ Learning Experiences

  Purpose: This study examines the effects of play-based learning in university education, specifically how it influences students' participation, emotional experiences, creative thinking, and collaborative skills. Recognizing the lack of practical research on the application of play in higher education, the study frames play-based activities as a tool for deeper understanding and internalization of course content, aiming to propose educational strategies that foster student engagement and self-directed learning. Method: The research was conducted in a university service leadership course during the 2024 academic year, applying diverse play-based activities adapted from integrated arts play models. Focus Group Interviews (FGI) were held with two groups (six students each). Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for recurring pat-terns relating to cognitive, emotional, social, and personal learning domains. All ethical standards were strictly followed, and students participated voluntarily. Results: Both FGIs revealed that play-based activities substantially increased students' immersion and active participation compared to traditional lectures. Students reported a deeper, embodied understanding of theoretical concepts, enhanced enjoyment, motivation, and collaborative communication skills. While many identified improvements in self-reflection and self-directed learning, some students noted discomfort with team-based or highly active formats—highlighting the need for flexible instructional design. Conclusion: Play-based learning in university courses effectively integrates cognitive, emotional, social, and personal growth, supporting key competencies such as leadership, communication, and self-motivation. The results recommend proactive adoption of Play-Based Learning in higher education, with careful consideration of students' needs, individual learning styles, and balanced activity design for maximal educational impact.

  2026.01.12

  Keyword:Play-Based Learning, Higher Education, University Education, Learning Engagement, Self-Directed Learning
  Abstract PDF Links

Editorial Board

History