Conceptualising Public Service Motivation

Public service motivation is a concept with many definitions. While the most commonly used relates public service motivation to public organisations, others suggest it is a general other regarding motivation that is not dependent on setting. It can be related to and distinct from altruism, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish public service motivation from other forms of prosocial behaviours and from professional service motivation. Most see intrinsic motivation as playing a role; a minority do not. This chapter explores the current fault lines and conceptual confusion in PSMT. It draws on criticisms from within and outside public service motivation scholarship about whether further theoretical development is needed. While recognising that many social science concepts are contested and undeveloped, the significant and growing empirical work around public service motivation, the chapter concludes that it is essential that further conceptual and theoretical clarity is provided. Otherwise, how can it be claimed that what is being observed is indeed public service motivation?