Public Service Motivation?: Rethinking What Motivates Public Actors

by Chris O'Leary

Overview

Chris O’Leary looks afresh at the reasons for prosocial work choices in the first substantive critique of Public Service Motivation (PSM).

With critical analysis of theoretical and empirical research to date, this book explores the pros and cons of PSM and interrogates the reasons why people choose to work in the public and third sectors. It proposes an alternative theory for the pursuit of service, rooted in rational choice theory, that shows public servants are expressly motivated to confirm their values and identity through their work.

For those involved in public policy, administration and management, this is a constructive and stimulating review of an important but often neglected aspect of the sector.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781447360797
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	06/28/2022
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.99(h) x (d)

About the Author

Chris O’Leary is Senior Lecturer in the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Table of Contents

1: Introduction

Part I: A Critique of Public Service Motivation Theory

2: Conceptualising Public Service Motivation

3: The Public in Public Service Motivation Theory

4: Decision-making in Public Service Motivation Theory

5: Observing Public Service Motivation

Part II: Expressively Motivated Public Employees

6: Rationality, Expressive Interests and Public Service Motivation

7: Conclusion

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This book offers a nuanced account of expressive incentives in public life that is essential reading for all who want to know what motivates those we label as public servants.” Mark Pennington, King's College London