Abstract
Public service motivation (PSM) research has predominantly focused on the positive aspects of PSM, but there is a growing recognition of its potential negative implications. However, a comprehensive and systematic synthesis of empirical studies on the adverse consequences of PSM is lacking. This systematic review aims to bridge this research gap by adhering to the reporting guidelines outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, and reviewing 32 relevant articles, each addressing the study's specific objectives. PSM's influence on negative outcomes varied, sometimes causing adverse consequences, while other times mediating the relationship between variables.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
Data availability is not applicable for this study.
References
Alvesson, M. & Deetz, S. (2000). Doing Critical Management Research. SAGE Publications Ltd. SAGE Series in Management Research. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849208918. https://methods.sagepub.com/book/doing-critical-management-research
Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2007). The job demands-resources model: State of the art. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 22(3), 309–328. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940710733115
Bellé, N. (2013). Experimental evidence on the relationship between public service motivation and job performance. Public Administration Review, 73, 143–153. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2012.02621.x
Borst, R. T., Kruyen, P. M., & Lako, C. J. (2019). Exploring the job demands-resources model of work engagement in government: bringing in a psychological perspective. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 39(3), 372–397. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X17729870
Bozeman, B., & Su, X. (2015). Public service motivation concepts and theory: A critique. Public Administration Review, 75(5), 700–710. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12248
Brewer, G. A. (2003). Building social capital: Civic attitudes and behavior of public servants. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 13(1), 5–26.
Bright, L. (2008). Does public service motivation really make a difference on the job satisfaction and turnover intentions of public employees? American Review of Public Administration, 38(2), 149–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/0275074008317248
Caillier, J. G. (2011). I want to quit: A closer look at factors that contribute to the turnover intentions of state government employees. State and Local Government Review, 43(2), 110–122. https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X11403325
Caillier, J. G. (2015). Towards a better understanding of public service motivation and mission valence in public agencies. Public Management Review, 17(9), 1217–1236. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2014.895033
Campbell, J. W., & Im, T. (2016). Perceived Public participation efficacy: The differential influence of public service motivation across organizational strata. Public Personnel Management, 45(3), 308–330. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091026016664899
Charbonneau, É., & Van Ryzin, G. G. (2017). Exploring the deep antecedent of public service motivation. International Journal of Public Administration, 40(5), 401–407. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2015.1126731
Chen, L. Y., Mujtaba, B. G., & Heron, T. W. (2011). Utilizing computer-based scenarios to explore idealism and relativism influences on perceptions of Ethics and Social Responsibilities and ethical decision making. International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 6(4), 359–384.
Clerkin, R. M., & Coggburn, J. D. (2012). The dimensions of public service motivation and sector work preferences. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 32(3), 209–235. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X11433880
Crewson, P. E. (1997). Public-service motivation: Building empirical evidence of incidence and effect. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 7(4), 499–518.
De Simone, S., Cicotto, G., Pinna, R., & Giustiniano, L. (2016). Engaging public servants: Public service motivation, work engagement and work-related stress. Management Decision, 54(7), 1569–1594. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-02-2016-0072
Deng, J., Li, Y., Sun, Y., Lei, R., & Yang, T. (2019). Public service motivation as a mediator of the relationship between job stress and presenteeism: A cross-sectional study from Chinese public hospitals. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), 625. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4483-5
Demerouti, E., Bakker, A. B., Nachreiner, F., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2001). The job demands-resources model of burnout. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(3), 499–512. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.3.499
DeVito, L., Brown, A., Bannister, B., Cianci, M. and Mujtaba, B. G. (2016). Employee motivation based on the hierarchy of needs, expectancy and the two-factor theories applied with higher education employees. International Journal of Advances in Management, Economics and Entrepreneurship, 3(1), 20–32. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Employee-Motivation-based-on-the-Hierarchy-of-and-Vito-Brown/8da90c066fa10fdd2e89c50e323b940b0c3ad926
DiIulio, J. J., Jr. (1994). The question of black crime. Public Interest, 117, 3. Accessed from: https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/question-black-crime
Gan, K.-P., Lin, Y., & Wang, Q. (2020). Public service motivation and turnover intention: Testing the mediating effects of job attitudes. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1289. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01289
Giauque, D., Anderfuhren-Biget, S., & Varone, F. (2013). Stress perception in public organisations: Expanding the job demands-job resources model by including public service motivation. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 33(1), 58–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X12443264
Giauque, D., Resenterra, F., & Siggen, M. (2014). Antecedents of job satisfaction, organizational commitment and stress in a public hospital: a PE fit perspective. Public Organization Review, 14, 201–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-012-0215-6
Giauque, D., Ritz, A., Varone, F., & Anderfuhren-Biget, S. (2012). Resigned but satisfied: The negative impact of public service motivation and red tape on work satisfaction. Public Administration, 90(1), 175–193. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9299.2011.01953.x
Gould-Williams, J. S., Bottomley, P., Redman, T., Snape, E., Bishop, D. J., Limpanitgul, T., & Mostafa, A. M. S. (2014). Civic duty and employee outcomes: Do high commitment human resource practices and work overload matter? Public Administration, 92(4), 937–953. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12019
Gould-Williams, J. S., Mostafa, A. M. S., & Bottomley, P. (2015). Public service motivation and employee outcomes in the egyptian public sector: Testing the mediating effect of person-organization fit. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 25(2), 597–622. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/mut053
Grant, A. M., & Campbell, E. M. (2007). Doing good, doing harm, being well and burning out: The interactions of perceived prosocial and antisocial impact in service work. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 80(4), 665–691. https://doi.org/10.1348/096317906X169553
Gross, H. P., Thaler, J., & Winter, V. (2019). Integrating public service motivation in the job-demands-resources model: An empirical analysis to explain employees’ performance, absenteeism, and presenteeism. International Public Management Journal, 22(1), 176–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/10967494.2018.1541829
Hansen, C. D., & Andersen, J. H. (2008). Going ill to work–What personal circumstances, attitudes and work-related factors are associated with sickness presenteeism? Social Science & Medicine, 67(6), 956–964. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.05.022
Harris, K. J., Kacmar, K. M., & Witt, L. A. (2005). An examination of the curvilinear relationship between leader–member exchange and intent to turnover. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26(4), 363–378. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.314
Hassan, S., Wright, B., & Yukl, G. (2014). Does ethical leadership matter in government? Effects on organizational commitment, absenteeism, and willingness to report ethical problems. Public Administration Review, 74(3), 333–343. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12216
Houston, D. J. (2006). “Walking the walk” of public service motivation: Public employees and charitable gifts of time, blood, and money. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 16(1), 67–86. https://doi.org/10.1093/JOPART%2FMUI028
Hsieh, C. W., Yang, K. F., & Fu, C. (2012). Motivational bases and emotional labor: Assessing the impact of public service motivation. Public Administration Review, 72, 241–251. https://doi.org/10.2307/41433299
Jensen, U. T., Andersen, L. B., & Holten, A.-L. (2019). Explaining a dark side: Public service motivation, presenteeism, and absenteeism. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 39(4), 487–510. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X17744865
Kalia, M. (2002). Assessing the economic impact of stress: the modern day hidden epidemic. Metabolism, 51(6), 49–53. https://doi.org/10.1053/meta.2002.33193
Kanaris, M. E., & Mujtaba, B. G. (2024). Trust shaping the social relationship of diverse learners in the online education environment. Environment and Social Psychology, 9(2), 1–21 (2197). https://doi.org/10.54517/esp.v9i2.2197. https://esp.apacsci.com/index.php/esp/article/viewFile/2197/1109
Kendrick, T., Artley, J., & Mujtaba, B. G. (2023). Mental health intervention in the workplace amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Health, 15(4), 289–311. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2023.154021
Kim, S. (2009). Testing the structure of public service motivation in Korea: A research note. Journal of Public Aministration Research and Theory, 19(4), 839–851. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/mup019
Kim, S. (2018). Public service motivation, organizational social capital, and knowledge sharing in the Korean public sector. Public Performance & Management Review, 41(1), 130–151. https://doi.org/10.1080/15309576.2017.1358188
Koumenta, M. (2015). Public service motivation and organizational citizenship. Public Money & Management, 35(5), 341–348. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540962.2015.1061169
Lee, G., & Choi, D. L. (2018). To work in the public sector? Evidence from Korea. 19
Liu, B., Tang, T.L.-P., & Yang, K. (2015a). When does public service motivation fuel the job satisfaction fire? The joint moderation of person-organization fit and needs-supplies fit. Public Management Review, 17(6), 876–900. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2013.867068
Liu, B., Yang, K., & Yu, W. (2015b). Work-related stressors and health-related outcomes in public service: Examining the role of public service motivation. American Review of Public Administration, 45(6), 653–673. https://doi.org/10.1177/0275074014524298
Liu, B., Zhang, X., Du, L., & Hu, Q. (2015c). Validating the construct of public service motivation in for-profit organizations: a preliminary study. Public Management Review, 17(2), 262–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2013.798023
Mansoor, M. (2015). A critical review on role of prison environment on stress and psychiatric problems among prisoners. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(1), 218–223. https://www.richtmann.org/journal/index.php/mjss/article/view/5531
Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W.B., & Leiter, M.P. (2001). Bob burnout. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 397-422. Eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.aut.ac.nz
Moynihan, D. P., & Landuyt, N. (2008). Explaining turnover intention in state government: Examining the roles of gender, life cycle, and loyalty. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 28(2), 120–143. http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/publications/workingpapers
Mujtaba, B. G. (2014). Managerial skills and practices for global leadership. ILEAD Academy.
Mujtaba, B. G. (2015). Gender, education, and employment developments in South Asia: A review of progress in Afghanistan and Pakistan (editor). ILEAD Academy.
Mujtaba, B. G. (2023). Affirmative action initiatives in education and employment: Its necessity then, now and in the future. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 24(1), 46–54.
Mujtaba, B. G., & McCartney, T. (2010). Managing workplace stress and conflict amid change (2nd ed.). ILEAD Academy.
Mussagulova, A., & Van der Wal, Z. (2021). “All still quiet on the non-Western front?” Non-Western public service motivation scholarship: 2015–2020. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 43(1), 23–46.
Naff, K. C., & Crum, J. (1999). Working for America: Does public service motivation make a difference? Review of Public Personnel Administration, 19(4), 5–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X9901900402
Noori, R., Shoaib, S., & Mujtaba, B. G. (2023) Antecedents and consequences of perception of organizsational politics: Empirical evidence for public sector universities in Eastern Afghanistan. Public Organization Review, 23(4), 1477–1503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-022-00685-y
Paarlberg, L. E., Perry, J. L., & Hondeghem, A. (2008). From theory to practice: Strategies for applying public service motivation. In J. L. Perry & A. Hondeghem (Eds.), Motivation in Public Management: The Call of Public Service (pp. 268–293). Oxford University Press.
Palma, R., & Sepe, E. (2017). Structural equation modelling: A silver bullet for evaluating public service motivation. Quality & Quantity, 51(2), 729–744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-016-0436-9
Perry, J. L., & Vandenabeele, W. (2015). Public service motivation research: Achievements, challenges and future directions. Public Administration Review, 75(5), 692–699. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12430
Perry, J. L., & Wise, L. R. (1990). The motivational bases of public service. Public Administration Review, 50(3), 367–373. https://doi.org/10.2307/976618
Perry, J. L., Hondeghem, A., & Wise, L. R. (2010). Revisiting the motivational bases of public service: Twenty years of research and an agenda for the future. Public Administration Review, 70(5), 681–690. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2010.02196x
Quratulain, S., & Khan, A. K. (2015). Red tape, resigned satisfaction, public service motivation, and negative employee attitudes and behaviors: Testing a model of moderated mediation. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 35(4), 307–332. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X13511646
Rainey, H. G. (1982). Reward preferences among public and private managers: In search of the service ethic. The American Review of Public Administration, 16(4), 288–302. https://doi.org/10.1177/027507408201600402
Rayner, J., Reimers, V., & Chao, C.-W.F. (2018). Testing an international measure of public service motivation: Is there really a bright or dark side? Testing an international measure of public service motivation. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 77(1), 87–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8500.12247
Re’em, Y. (2011). Motivating public sector employees: An application-oriented analysis of possibilities and practical tools. Hertie School of Governance working papers, No. 60, July. http://www.hertie-school.org/fileadmin/images/Downloads/working_papers/60.pdf. Accessed 5 March 2013.
Ritz, A., Brewer, G. A., & Neumann, O. (2016). Public service motivation: A systematic literature review and outlook. Public Administration Review, 76(3), 414–426.
Schott, C., & Ritz, A. (2018). The dark sides of public service motivation: A multi-level theoretical framework. Perspectives on Public Management and Governance, 1(1), 29–42. https://doi.org/10.1093/ppmgov/gvx011
Vandenabeele, W. (2007). Toward a public administration theory of public service motivation: An institutional approach. Public Management Review, 9(4), 545–556. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719030701726697
Vandenabeele, W., & Van de Walle, S. (2008). International difference in public service motivation: Comparing regions across the world. Retrieved from: https://repub.eur.nl/pub/13610/Proofs_12-Perry-c11.pdf, http://hdl.handle.net/1765/13610
van Loon, N. M., Vandenabeele, W., & Leisink, P. (2015). On the bright and dark side of public service motivation: The relationship between PSM and employees. Public Money & Management, 35(5), 349–356. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540962.2015.1061171
Wittmer, D. (1991). Serving the people or serving for pay: Reward preferences among government, hybrid sector, and business managers. Public Productivity & Management Review, 14(4), 369–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/3380953
Wright, B. E., & Pandey, S. K. (2011). Public organizations and mission valence: When does mission matter? Administration & Society, 43(1), 22–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095399710386303
Yousaf, M., Zafar, S., & Abi Ellahi, A. (2014). Do public service motivation, red tape and resigned work satisfaction triangulate together? International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 63(7), 923–945. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-06-2013-0123
Funding
No external funding was used for this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Declarations
This is original research, and it has not been published anywhere else. Currently, this paper is only under review by this journal.
Ethical Approval
Proper IRB procedures were followed in this study.
Informed Consent
Followed proper research protocols.
Conflict of Interest
There is no conflict of interest in this paper as the research has not been funded by any agency and is the independent and original work of the authors.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Momand, A., Salman, Y., Irfan, S. et al. From Idealism to Realism: Examining the Negative Outcomes of Public Service Motivation through a Systematic Literature Review. Public Organiz Rev (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-024-00768-y
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-024-00768-y