Should heterogeneity matter? Evaluating public service motivation in a non-homogenous society.

Abstract

Drawing works on Publis Service Motivation(PSM), heterogeneity and institutions, this article suggests that in assessing an individual’s PSM and chances of joining the public service, ethnic heterogeneity matters. It matters because while personal attributes – like education, personal values and identity, political beliefs, socialisation - are important in determining one’s public service motivation, an ethnically heterogeneous environment with the potential of producing numerous types of exclusive institutions can influence one’s perception of the public service, alter one’s motivation to serve in the public service or even determine one’s chances of joining the civil service.