Enhancing Service Adaptive Behavior in the Public Service Context: When Ethical Self-Interest Climate as an Obstacle

Long Nguyen; Khai Dinh

Authors

Long Le Hoang Nguyen University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Khai Dinh University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Keywords:

Public Sector, Social Cognitive Theory, Behavior Change, Ethics

Abstract

The research aims to explore the relationship between public sector employees’ prosocial motivation and service adaptive behavior. By examining this relationship, the intervening role of a self-interest climate was explored as a mediator. The research was built upon social cognitive theory to understand how prosocially motivated public servants could exhibit adaptive behavior directly, as well as indirectly, by mitigating an adverse working climate. Data was collected from the perspectives of both managerial and non-managerial employees and analyzed using the PLS-SEM method. A positive linkage between prosocial motivation and service adaptive behavior was established. Furthermore, prosocial motivation was found to help public employees overcome an egoistic climate and exhibit adaptability in serving citizens. Several theoretical contributions and practical implications for public managers were presented.

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