A Concept Analysis of Public Service Motivation Using Rodgers’ Evolutionary Method

Despite the fact that the concept of public service motivation includes a wide range of roles in public organizations, but in most cases, the use of this term is unclear. Therefore, the necessity of understanding this word requires a clear definition of it. The purpose of this research is to clarify and analyze the concept of public service motivation according to the existing theoretical issues, to know its characteristics, antecedents and consequences. In terms of methodology, in this research, Rogers' evolutionary concept analysis approach was used. In this approach, a comprehensive synthesis of research presented in the field of the desired concept is identified and analyzes the evolution of the concept in a cycle of its importance, use and application. The desired texts were searched in the form of thematic analysis similar to content analysis with the keyword "Public Service Motivation" between 1990 and 2022 from existing and reliable databases. Based on the inclusion criteria and the sampling process, 17 studies were selected for review. Findings showed that public service motivation is based on benevolence, doing good deeds to help others and the interests of society and the desire to influence society. Its characteristics include membership in the public sector, efficiency in individual performance, and less dependence on material incentives. Related concepts include altruism, intrinsic motivation, prosocial motivation and sense of community responsibility. Its important antecedents are organizational commitment, employee-leader relations, socialization, Job attributes, religiousness and it has the positive relationship with the variables of Person-organization fit, organizational citizenship behavior, job commitment, quality of work, work effort and organizational performance. The results showed that the public service motivation is related to the activities of public sector employees in organizational responsibilities and activities.