2 - Theoretical and Empirical Foundations for Public Service Motivation

Summary

The chapter examines key theories driving public service motivation research. After discussing the origins of public service motivation, the discussion in chapter 2 is broken into three broad categories: theories related to predisposition-opportunity theory, theories related to self-determination theory, and theories related to goal-setting theory. First, the discussion related to predisposition-opportunity theory aims to answer the question of why people contribute different levels of personal resources to organizations. Predisposition-opportunity theory is then compared to attraction-selection-attrition theory and person-fit theory, and empirical research is examined. Second, self-determination theory adds to the discussion by positing that resource contributions can be explained by psychological needs and motivations. Commonalities between self-determination theory and public service motivation are analyzed before empirical research on motivation-crowding theory is discussed. Third, goal theory contends that differences in motivation and performance can be explained by differences in goals. Chapter 2 concludes with a discussion of the use of mission valence as a proxy for goals.