Journal article
Iraq's tough governance setting: Examining the importance of self-sacrifice over institutions to public service motivation
Journal of Contemporary Iraq & the Arab World, Vol.13(2-3), pp.181-203
09/01/2019
DOI: 10.1386/jciaw_00007_1
Abstract
Public service motivation (PSM) is understudied within 'tough governance settings' such Iraq's, as it transitioned from dictatorship to democracy amidst civil unrest. Debates surrounding a universal construct of PSM currently focus on whether a love of public institutions
is an essential component, or if measures of self-sacrifice will suffice. Results from a multidimensional PSM measure previously utilized in western settings are used here in Iraq. The results demonstrate that items from typical PSM dimensions remain in the model, but the pro-social, self-sacrifice
dimension is the only reliable subscale. Reinforcing a pro-social foundation of PSM, a pro-social unidimensional measure fits the data well and respondents themselves define 'public service' in pro-social terms. Showing little connection to institutions, PSM in Iraq correlates
with public servants determining the public interest based on their knowledge of their communities and of citizens and less on professional expertise, adopted plans or on guidance from elected officials. Contrary to reports of a divided Iraq, PSM scores are similar across regions. These insights
have implications for PSM measurement, governance choices in developing countries, and comparative public administration research.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Iraq's tough governance setting: Examining the importance of self-sacrifice over institutions to public service motivation
- Creators
- Dhirgham Alobaydi - University of BaghdadBonnie J Johnson - University of KansasJonathan Templin - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of Contemporary Iraq & the Arab World, Vol.13(2-3), pp.181-203
- Publisher
- Intellect
- DOI
- 10.1386/jciaw_00007_1
- ISSN
- 2515-8538
- eISSN
- 2515-8546
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2019
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
- Record Identifier
- 9984371291402771
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