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Testing an International Measure of Public Service Motivation: Is There Really a Bright or Dark Side?
Author(s) -
Rayner Julie,
Reimers Vaughan,
Chao ChihWei Fred
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australian journal of public administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1467-8500
pISSN - 0313-6647
DOI - 10.1111/1467-8500.12247
Subject(s) - great rift , nomological network , burnout , measure (data warehouse) , sample (material) , job satisfaction , public service motivation , psychology , service (business) , public service , social psychology , business , marketing , political science , public relations , public sector , computer science , data mining , clinical psychology , physics , law , thermodynamics , astronomy
‘Public service motivation’ (PSM) is usually reported as a bright force although recent debate alludes to a dark side. Variables representing each side are, respectively, job satisfaction and burnout. This study tests for both the bright and potential dark direct effects of PSM and responds to calls to further validate the international PSM instrument developed by Kim et al. ([Kim, S., 2013]). Using a sample of 455 local council workers in Australia, analysis confirmed that while the measure was robust and generalizable in its structure, none of the dimensions of PSM were found to influence either job satisfaction or burnout. Plausible explanations include contextual factors, nomological concerns with the measurement instrument, and the notion that PSM has a non‐significant influence on either. The implications of these findings are discussed and future research proposed.