Public service motivation research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region: A systematic review of progress and implications for public administration theory and practice

Abstract

The research on public service motivation (PSM) has seen a growing internationalization, necessitating efforts to organize and systematize its findings to assess research progress and enhance the value of PSM theory in various contexts, including public administration. This paper aims to review the progress of PSM research in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region over the past decade. The primary methodology employed is a systematic literature review, where a total of 20 papers published between 2013 and 2020 were located and analyzed. The assessment of these papers includes an examination of their country of origin, publication source, underlying theory, research design, and lines of study. A critical evaluation of the findings is conducted, focusing on their theoretical and practical contributions to PSM scholarship. The key conclusion drawn from this review is that while PSM research in the MENA region is advancing, it reveals certain methodological limitations and underexplored themes that need to be addressed. Consequently, this paper significantly contributes to public administration research and PSM-specific studies by providing the long-awaited organization, systematization, and integration of regional research. The outcomes of this review enable the identification of relevant contextual factors that can enrich the conceptualization and operationalization of PSM on a regional basis. Additionally, this paper offers a comprehensive overview of existing PSM knowledge in the MENA region, thereby guiding future research in this domain. By acknowledging both the methodological strengths and weaknesses, as well as the thematic aspects of the reviewed studies, specific suggestions are put forth to enhance the quality and depth of future PSM research in the MENA region. This paper thus serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to further develop the understanding of PSM within the context of the MENA region.