The Universal Challenge: A Conceptual Framework for Exploring the Multidimensional Antecedents of Public Service Motivation

This paper is specifically related to the Public Service Motivation Special Interest Group (SIG) Panel. This paper sets out some of the key challenges in making further progress with determining universal antecedents of Public... [ view full abstract ]

This paper is specifically related to the Public Service Motivation Special Interest Group (SIG) Panel.

This paper sets out some of the key challenges in making further progress with determining universal antecedents of Public Service Motivation (PSM), before concluding that, due to the multidimensional complexity of human motivations, robust universal generalisations on definitions, measurement and antecedents of PSM are potentially unattainable, and for the purpose of practical management interventions, potentially unhelpful. To demonstrate the complexity and multi-layered nature of antecedents, a new framework is presented for the analysis of PSM using a tiered approach to socio-historical antecedents. The five-tier structure explores PSM at the conceptual, national, occupational, organisational, and the individual levels. Element of the framework are tested using data from the European Social Survey (ESS) for 132,975 workers from across 30 European countries. The findings support the presence of PSM as a universal motivation within European public sector workers while revealing significant variations in the expression of PSM values by nationality and occupation. The implications for PSM research and management practice are discussed. By and large, less effort should focus on universal PSM definitions and measurement scales, and more emphasis should be placed on understanding the socio-historical context of particular groups of workers.