INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC SERVICE MOTIVATION ON JOB SATISFACTION: MEDIATING EFFECTS OF WORK ENGAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT

Abstract

This study explores how Public Service Motivation (PSM) influences job satisfaction (JS) among public sector employees in Pakistan, with a particular focus on the roles of work engagement (WE) and organizational commitment (OC) as mediating factors. Public sector workers are central to delivering essential services and ensuring the smooth operation of government functions, so understanding what drives their satisfaction and performance is crucial.

Using theories from motivation and organizational behavior, the study introduces a conceptual model to examine both the direct and indirect effects of PSM on job satisfaction. Data were collected from 365 employees across key public organizations in Pakistan, including Pakistan Railways, SNGPL, and WAPDA, through a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the relationships between variables.

The findings show that employees with higher levels of PSM are more likely to feel engaged in their work and committed to their organization, both of which significantly enhance their overall job satisfaction. Moreover, the results confirm that work engagement and organizational commitment serve as important links in the connection between PSM and job satisfaction.

Overall, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of employee motivation in the public sector, particularly in a non-Western context. It also offers practical recommendations for human resource practices—emphasizing the need to cultivate public service values, strengthen employee engagement, and build organizational loyalty in order to foster a more motivated, satisfied, and effective public workforce.