Winnowing Out High-psm Candidates: The Adverse Selection Effect of Competitive Public Service Exams. Issue 4 (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Chung-An; Chen, Don-Yun; Liao, Zhou-Peng; Kuo, Ming-Feng
• Is Part Of: International public management journal. Volume 23:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 443
• Page End: 464
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: Public administration -- Periodicals; 351.05
• DOI: 10.1080/10967494.2019.1658663
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1096-7494

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Existing literature based in Western society generally supports that people who have high public service motivation (PSM) prefer a public service career, and public organizations are likely to recruit high-PSM individuals. This proposition may not hold in cultures where the public service exam is notoriously competitive. The present study, based in Taiwan, provides evidence showing that a competitive, standardized public service exam, along with its unique social symbolism, can deter high-PSM people from entering the public sector. We then discuss the theoretical and practical implications in the conclusion.