Public Service Motivation

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1 Public Service Motivation Student's Name Institution Course Instructor Date
2 Public Service Motivation Public service motivation (PSM) is essential for enhancing public managers' skills, improving public organizations, and building citizen trust in government. PSM reflects individuals' natural inclination to serve the greater good, positively impacting managerial competence and fostering trust in public officials (Perry & Wise, 1990). A good example of how public service information enhances managerial competences and benefit public organizations is seen in the case of a dedicated public health official during a public health crisis, such as a pandemic. Public health officials with a strong PSM are more likely to demonstrate exceptional managerial competencies that result in more effective responses to crises. Public service managers with high Public Service Motivation are drive by a genuine desire to serve the community. During pandemic crisis, this motivation was seen in their relentless commitment of developing and implementing strategies to protect public health ( Haider et al., 2019, 7) They prioritize the common good above all else, making difficult decisions that may not always be politically popular but are in the best interest of public safety. Additionally, individuals with a strong PSM often possess superior interpersonal skills. This is crucial in managing public organizations effectively, especially during a crisis, as it enables public managers to communicate complex information clearly, empathize with the concerns of citizens, and build trust. Trust is a fundamental component of effective crisis management, as it ensures that the public follows recommended guidelines and adheres to safety measures. Citizens are more likely to trust and cooperate with leaders they perceive as genuinely motivated by public welfare. Motivation for public service fosters a commitment to transparency and accountability. High PSM public managers are more likely to embrace transparency in their decision-making
3 processes, providing citizens with the knowledge they need to make educated decisions ( Schwarz et al., 2020, 544) This transparency not only increases trust but also develops a collaborative environment between the government and its constituents. Citizens are more likely to support policies that they understand and believe are well-intentioned (Gopalka, 2020). Furthermore, Public service motivation (PSM) goes beyond managerial competencies; it drives public managers to invest in continuous improvement, seek innovative solutions, and adapt strategies. This enhances the efficiency of public services. Moreover, PSM fosters citizen trust in government, vital for a thriving democracy. When citizens see public managers genuinely committed to their welfare, confidence in the government's ability to meet their needs grows (Paul, 2021, 2). This trust results in increased support for public policies, strengthening the democratic process. PSM, therefore, not only improves managerial effectiveness but also fortifies the core of democratic governance.
4 References Gopalka, A., (2020). "How motivation can fix public systems." https://youtu.be/IGJt7QmtUOk? si=snjgOQqATzi6kF6q Haider, S., Bao, G., Larsen, G. L., & Draz, M. U. (2019). Harnessing sustainable motivation: A grounded theory exploration of public service motivation in local governments of the state of Oregon, United States. Sustainability , 11 (11), 3105. Paul, M., (2021). Umbrella summary: Public service motivation. Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development. https://www.qic-wd.org/umbrella/publicservice-motivation Perry, J. L., & Wise, L. R. (1990). The motivational bases of public service. Public Administration Review, 50, 367-373. Schwarz, G., Eva, N., & Newman, A. (2020). Can public leadership increase public service motivation and job performance?. Public Administration Review , 80 (4), 543-554.
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