Demographic determinants of public service motivation: a meta-analysis of PSM-age and -gender relationships. Issue 10 (3rd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parola, Heather R.; Harari, Michael B.; Herst, David E. L.; Prysmakova, Palina
• Is Part Of: Public management review. Volume 21:Issue 10(2019)
• Page Start: 1397
• Page End: 1419
• Publication Date: 2019-10-03
• Subjects: Public service motivation -- age -- gender -- meta-analysis; Local government -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; 351.05
• DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2018.1550108
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-9037

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Although age and gender are among the most analysed determinants of public service motivation (PSM), their effects on PSM development remain unclear due to contradictory findings among studies. To address this issue, we carried out a meta-analysis of PSM-age and -gender correlations, synthesizing findings from 30 independent samples, with pooled sample sizes as large as N = 86, 958. Moreover, we considered the role of cultural context as a moderator of these relationships. Overall, we found that age and gender are indeed antecedents of PSM, but importantly, that these effects differ across cultural contexts. Implications for research and practice are discussed.