Exrinsic motivation, PSM and labour market characteristics : a multilevel model of public sector employment preference in 26 countries
By: Van de Walle, Steven
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Contributor(s): STEIJN, Bram | JILKE, Sebastian.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Los Angeles : Sage, Dec. 2015International Review of Administrative Sciences 81, 4, p. 833-855Abstract: Research findings have been contradictory with respect to the determinants of why people choose a public sector job. In this article we use an internationally comparative design with data from 26 countries to explain public sector employment preference. The study shows that on the individual level, public service motivation and extrinsic motivation are both important drivers for this preference. Intrinsic motivation, in turn, is negatively related to peoples inclination to work for the public sector. Moreover, having a lower income and lower education is associated with a greater preference for public sector employment. This suggests that working for the public sector is seen as a good and safe career option. Our results furthermore show that variation in this preference can only partly be explained by country differences. Nevertheless, in countries with a career- rather than position-based system of public employment, people are more likely to prefer public employment
Research findings have been contradictory with respect to the determinants of why people choose a public sector job. In this article we use an internationally comparative design with data from 26 countries to explain public sector employment preference. The study shows that on the individual level, public service motivation and extrinsic motivation are both important drivers for this preference. Intrinsic motivation, in turn, is negatively related to peoples inclination to work for the public sector. Moreover, having a lower income and lower education is associated with a greater preference for public sector employment. This suggests that working for the public sector is seen as a good and safe career option. Our results furthermore show that variation in this preference can only partly be explained by country differences. Nevertheless, in countries with a career- rather than position-based system of public employment, people are more likely to prefer public employment
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