Bringing Society In: Toward a Theory of Public-Service Motivation

Abstract

This article seeks to develop a theory of motivation that brings society in to the motivation equation and reflects variations across institutions in the motivation process. A literature review identifies anomalies in dominant theories of motivation and reinforces the need for models that are more inclusive of social and institutional variables. Foundational premises of a revised theory of motivation are presented. The article concludes with a theory of motivation that accounts for motivational processes encountered in government and voluntary organizations.