Using two-waive survey data and personnel records collected from a police organization, this study examines the relationship between public service motivation (PSM) and public employee burnout and turnover behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the aftermath of the 2020 community protests for racial justice and police reform. Our analyses show a negative association between PSM and public employee turnover behavior and this relationship is significantly stronger among employees with shorter (in comparison to longer) job tenure. Moreover, we find a consistent negative relationship between PSM and work depersonalization but no relationship between PSM and employee emotional exhaustion. These results suggest the effect of PSM on public employee burnout probably depends on the dimension of burnout studied. The results contribute to public administration research by studying PSM’s effects during times of environmental crisis and change.
Hassan, S., Wright, B. E., Baluran, D., & Baker, D. (2023). Public Service Motivation and Employee Burnout and Turnover During Times of Crisis. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2023, No. 1, p. 19151). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
