The Effects of Doing More with Less in the Public Sector: Evidence from a Large-Scale Survey

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Esteve, Marc; Schuster, Christian; Albareda, Adria; Losada, Carlos
• 署名单位: University of London; University College London; University of London; University College London; Leiden University; Leiden University - Excl LUMC; Universitat Ramon Llull; Escuela Superior de Administracion y Direccion de Empresas (ESADE)
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.12766
• 发表日期: 2017
• 页码: 544-553
• 关键词: JOB-SATISFACTION; service motivation; organizational commitment; cutback management; target similarity; hard times; work; VALUES; metaanalysis; leadership

摘要

Since the onset of the Great Recession, doing more with less has become a policy mantra. To do more with less, a range of governments have concurrently imposed wage cuts and greater work demands on public employees. This article assesses the impact of these changes on the job satisfaction and work motivation of public employees in 34 European countries. Congruent with previous studies linking income and working hours with job attitudes, the article finds a negative impact on both. There are no free austerity lunches: while public employees may work longer hours for lower pay, they are less satisfied and less motivated when doing so. One caveat applies: the effect on motivation-although not satisfaction-is mitigated when employees feel that their values are aligned with those of their organization. This puts a premium on public managers fostering value alignment, particularly when it is hardest to achieve: in times of cutbacks.