Religiosity and work motives among public sector employees

David J. Houston and Patricia K. Freeman

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 2025, vol. 47, issue 3, 263-285

Abstract: Research in public administration generally has found that religiosity promotes public service motivation. Although all major religions include components that encompass work-relevant values, little research has focused on how religiosity influences work motives more generally. This study draws on self-determination theory and identity theory to hypothesise that religiosity is positively related to a public service motive but generally not to other work motives. The hypotheses are tested using multilevel logistic regression models that are estimated using public employee respondents to a cross-national survey administered in 35 countries. The findings indicate that religion has a more substantial impact on a public service motive (which is an autonomous extrinsic motive) than on controlled extrinsic or intrinsic motives. The study points to the importance of studying the role of religion in public administration.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/23276665.2024.2396299

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