Contracting Regimes and Third-Party Governance: A Theoretical Construct for Exploring the Importance of Public Service Motivation of Private Sector Contractors

Authors

  • G. Jason Jolley

Abstract

To date the bulk of public service motivation (PSM) research has focused on demonstrating the differences in public service motivation between public sector and private sector employees, yet no research exist exploring the public service motivation (PSM) of private contractors performing public sector tasks. This article provides a detailed review of the privatization and PSM literature and suggests that PSM among private sector contractors can serve as a mitigating factor in protecting the public interest. This article establishes a set of propositions regarding the role of PSM as a mitigating factor in contracted public services, suggesting that PSM’s level of importance is related to the complexity of job task, number of contractors, and presence of a contracting regime. Lastly, the article recommends future directions in PSM research necessary for testing these propositions.

Author Biography

G. Jason Jolley

G. Jason Jolley is Senior Research Director, Center for Competitive Economies and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Kenan-Flagler Business School, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.

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How to Cite

Jolley, G. J. (2014). Contracting Regimes and Third-Party Governance: A Theoretical Construct for Exploring the Importance of Public Service Motivation of Private Sector Contractors. International Public Management Review, 9(2), 1–14. Retrieved from https://ipmr.net/index.php/ipmr/article/view/53

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2008)

Section

Articles

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