Past, Present, and Future of Public Service Motivation Research

Abstract

This article reviews the evolution of almost 25 years of public service motivation research in order to identify what is necessary to raise future research to a higher level. First, we look at the rise in public service motivation research and try to provide an explanation for the increasing number of publications. Second, we review the empirical research on public service motivation and summarize the knowledge that has been built up so far in terms of the nature of the concept and its prevalence, its antecedents, and its consequences or outcomes. Third, we identify the challenges which future research is likely to face and we develop a strategy to address the aforementioned issues. In doing so, we aim to provide a roadmap for future research and thus contribute to a further increase in more robust knowledge on a topic that has been increasingly influential in public administration and public management.

Review: Public service motivation—practical problems, scientific evidence and the role of a research community

“…However, despite the surge in PSM-related research and the increased impact thanks to these special issues, much work remains to be done to provide solid and robust evidence on the relationships that are assumed with outcomes and causes (Moynihan et al, 2013;Vandenabeele et al, 2014). In addition, PSM is typically regarded as a good thing, creating a warm glow of satisfaction in the belief that employees are aligned with a public service organization's values.…”

“…It might be the case that PSM has a 'dark side', leading to burn-out and disenchantment with the organization and its policies and practices. Combined with the questions that are still open on PSM (Perry et al, 2010;Wright and Grant 2010;Vandenabeele et al, 2014), we think there is need for more evidence on how PSM operates. This Public Money & Management theme issue helps to fill the gap between what we want to know and the existing evidence (for an overview of the present knowledge-base on PSM, see Vandenabeele and Van Loon, 2015).…”

“…Other reasons for the popularity of PSM have been elaborately discussed elsewhere, see Vandenabeele et al (2014) and Perry et al (2010). Afterwards, we will identify remaining questions on the topic of PSM.…”

Exploring the Job Demands–Resources Model of Work Engagement in Government: Bringing in a Psychological Perspective

“…Although the direct effects of PSM and red tape on commitment (e.g., Vandenabeele, 2009 andStazyk, Pandey, &Wright, 2009, respectively) and turnover intention (e.g., Campbell &Im, 2016, andQuratulain &Khan, 2015, respectively) have been studied, the mediating effect of work engagement has not been taken into account before. As we know little about intermediate factors between, for example, PSM and individual outcomes (Loon, Kjeldsen, Bøgh Andersen, Vandenabeele, & Leisink, 2016), there has been a recent call for research that links the JD-R model of work engagement and PSM (Noesgaard & Hansen, 2017;Vandenabeele, Brewer, & Ritz, 2014). The integration of the JD-R model of work engagement might contribute to the understanding of the psychological mechanisms through which PSM leads to positive attitudes and behavior.…”

Testing an International Measure of Public Service Motivation: Is There Really a Bright or Dark Side?

“…Those who identify with PSM place less value on extrinsic reward motivators such as high income and short work hours, and more value on altruistic behaviour and public service activity (Vandenabeele et al. ). PSM has also been found to be predictive of organisational citizenship behaviour (Brewer and Selden ; Buelens and van den Broeck ; Camilleri ; Crewson ; Houston , ; Kim ; Naff and Crum ; Pandey et al.…”