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Public service motivation and job satisfaction in China

Author

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  • Bangcheng Liu
  • Ningyu Tang
  • Xiaomei Zhu

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to investigate how generalisable the public service motivation (PSM) observed in Western society is to China and to examine the effects of public service motivation on job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach - Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis techniques are applied to survey data of 191 public servants in China to investigate the generalisability of Western PSM. Using hierarchical regression analysis, the paper examines the effects of the dimensions of PSM on job satisfaction. Findings - The results show that the public service motivation observed in the West exists in China, but the generalisability of the construct is limited. Three of the four dimensions of public service motivation (attraction to public policy making, commitment to the public interest, and self‐sacrifice) exist in China, but the fourth dimension (compassion) is unconfirmed. Originality/value - The paper is the first to examine the generalisability and instrumentality of PSM as observed in Western society to China. The results indicate that the public service motivation observed in the West also exists in China, but that the generalisability is limited. Public service motivation emerges from the results as a positively significant predictor of job satisfaction in the public sector of China. It enhances the applicability and meaningfulness of the concept of public service motivation across political and cultural environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Bangcheng Liu & Ningyu Tang & Xiaomei Zhu, 2008. "Public service motivation and job satisfaction in China," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 29(8), pages 684-699, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:ijmpps:v:29:y:2008:i:8:p:684-699
    DOI: 10.1108/01437720810919297
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Arjun Kumar Shrestha & Ajaya Kumar Mishra, 2015. "Interactive Effects of Public Service Motivation and Organizational Politics on Nepali Civil Service Employees' Organizational Commitment," Business Perspectives and Research, , vol. 3(1), pages 21-35, January.
    2. Marek Franěk & Hana Mohelská & Václav Zubr & Pavel Bachmann & Marcela Sokolová, 2014. "Organizational and Sociodemographic Determinants of Job Satisfaction in the Czech Republic," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(3), pages 21582440145, September.
    3. Klopotan Igor & Mjeda Trina & Kurečić Petar, 2018. "Exploring the Motivation of Employees in a Firm: A Case-Study," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 9(1), pages 151-160, March.
    4. Martha I. Papadopoulou & Efstathios D. Dimitriadis, 2019. "Factors Affecting Motivation in the Public Sector under the Context of Self-Determination Theory and Public Service Motivation: The Case of the Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organization (H.A.I.O.)," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(4), pages 112-135.
    5. Hyo Joo Lee & Kyoung Ryoul Min & Min Young Kim & Sung Min Park, 2022. "The Impact of Entrepreneurial Leadership and Ethical Climate on Public Service Motivation in Korea and China: Moderating Role of Confucian Values," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-16, October.

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    Keywords

    China; Job satisfaction;

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