Public service motivation and job satisfaction of employees of metropolitan assemblies in Ghana

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of public service motivation, specifically their dimension, on job satisfaction amongst the staff of the metropolitan assemblies in Ghana. Simple random sampling technique was used to collect data from 321 staff of the six metropolitan assemblies through self-administered questionnaires. Partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesis postulated. The findings revealed that all the dimensions of public service motivation i.e. attraction to public participation, compassion to public values, compassion and self-sacrifice were significant in positively affecting job satisfaction. The study also revealed that self-sacrifice is the highest contributor to public service motivation with commitment to public values being the lowest. It was therefore concluded that public service motivation is a good predictor of job satisfaction in the Metropolitan Assemblies in Ghana. It was therefore recommended that directors/managers of Metropolitan Assemblies are advised to ensure that much attention is paid to the staff regarding their levels of PSM as it significantly affects their job satisfaction in the public sector.