Modeling the Public Service Motivation of Local Government Employees

Abstract

This research study aims to generate a best fit model on the public service motivation of local government employees. Three exogenous variables were utilized in this quantitative, descriptive-causal research with structural equation modeling: organizational culture, public leadership, and political values. Data were sourced from 400 rank and file permanent employees of six city governments of the Davao Region in the Philippines during the period August-October 2021 amidst the adversities of the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings revealed that all the exogenous variables were significantly associated and influencing public service motivation. Moreover, the best fit model for public service motivation generated satisfied all the goodness of fit measures' requirements. It indicated that public service motivation was directly influenced by public leadership with a significant link to organizational culture. Consequently, any effort raising the level of motivation of employees toward public service should involve associating the desirable organizational culture and the leadership competence of administrators.