Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

The concept of Public Service Motivation is a derivative of an employee’s drive to make an impact; thus, a Public Service Agency can attract top talent by building a reputation around its impact. Before determining what factors influence Public Service Motivation, or PSM, the concept must be defined. PSM refers to an individual’s innate inclination to serve and to integrate their individual behaviors with public service. Variables influence an individual’s natural inclination toward public service including upbringing, faith, personal struggles, socioeconomic background, biology and the incentives offered by the service role someone might fill. No variable impacts and individual’s ultimate decision to serve like the Impact Variable. Regardless of altruism, employees across all sectors desire to feel impact in their roles more than any other variable or incentive, even above pay. Further research and understanding of human nature, evolutionary psychology and recruiting strategy will lend useful insight into using impact to attract top talent across all sectors, particularly in Public Service.