Abstract
Public service motivation (PSM) is a prominent concept within current Public Administration, as it refers to the drive for public interested and altruistic behaviour. Although substantial empirical research on its nature and its impact is available, little is known on the origins of PSM. Led by cues provided by previous empirical research, this article seeks to develop a general theory of PSM, encompassing both causes and consequences of PSM. Based on an interdisciplinary approach, elements of institutional theory and motivational psychology are fused together, blending into an operational theory of PSM.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 545-556 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Public Management Review |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2007 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:I would like to thank Prof. Dr Annie Hondeghem, Prof. Dr Willy Lens and Prof. Dr Maarten Vansteenkiste for their valuable comments on this article. This article is part of a research project sponsored by Research Programme of the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO). Parts of this article have been presented at the IRSPM 2006 conference in Glasgow and at the EGPA 2006 conference in Milan.
Funding
I would like to thank Prof. Dr Annie Hondeghem, Prof. Dr Willy Lens and Prof. Dr Maarten Vansteenkiste for their valuable comments on this article. This article is part of a research project sponsored by Research Programme of the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO). Parts of this article have been presented at the IRSPM 2006 conference in Glasgow and at the EGPA 2006 conference in Milan.
Keywords
- Institutionalism
- Motivational theory
- Person-organization fit
- Public service motivation
- Self-determination theory