Work

Does bureaucracy demotivate public servants? An assessment of psychological mechanisms and the moderating role of age

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Public servants’ intrinsic work motivation is crucial to well-being, workforce retention and performance but is potentially frustrated by bureaucracy, especially amongst junior public servants. Using Mplus SEM on cross-sectional data from 979 public servants from Dutch public sector organizations, this preregistered study indicates that formalization and centralization relate to intrinsic motivation, with more complex mediations frustrating and guarding psychological autonomy and competence. Age, however, only directly relates to psychological autonomy and competence, thus offering little additional insights due to the absence of moderation. Findings present strategies and tactics for HR, managers and employees to consider for optimizing intrinsic motivation.

Source: Public Management Review

DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2025.2504723

Authors: Glenn Houtgraaf, Rick T. Borst

Institutions: Erasmus University Rotterdam, Utrecht University

Language: English

Topic: Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek