A GRANULATED EXPLORATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE CAREER CHOICE MOTIVATIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA: A TEST OF SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY AND PUBLIC SERVICE MOTIVATIONS

This study contributes to the public administration literature by taking a granulated approach to measuring motivational drivers to become a public servant. Taking Self-Determination Theory and Public Service Motivation as theoretical bases, the research explores the relationships between a range of extrinsic and intrinsic regulations and intent to work in the public sector. The data collected from 444 undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia was analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling. The results demonstrated direct effects of external and introjected types of regulation. Public Service Motivation fully mediated the relationship between intrinsic and identified regulation and intent to work. Practical implications are discussed and future research directs are proposed. Disciplinary: Management Science. (C) 2020 INT TRANS J ENG MANAG SCI TECH.