An Investigation on Workers Motivation and Leadership Behavior: The Elements of Public Sector Administration | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

Leadership and workers motivation are key issues that improve organizational productivity. The paper examines leadership and motivation theories as vital elements of organizational development and effectiveness, especially in public sector administration. Starting from the classical to the most contemporary approaches to leadership and motivation in comparative perspectives, the paper provides managers with working tools for effective and efficient management of their various organizations. The objective therefore is to relate motivation and leadership theories to organizational management. The paper finds out that there is no one best approach or theory to workers motivation and leadership effectiveness and that all theories are relevant to organizational management depending on the scope, objectives and philosophies of the organization. Arising from this fact, the paper identifies that there are some limitations and weaknesses of leadership and motivation theories, but advocates/recommends among other things that managers should have as many theories as possible at the tips of their fingers to enable them thrive in organizational management. The paper therefore concludes that comparative approach to motivation and leadership theories will become an eye opener and the best strategy for achieving organizational effectiveness. The origin of the concept of public service motivation (PSM) dates back to 1982. Since then, many definitions, measurement scales and implications have been proposed and discussed. Still, the gap between what we know and what would be useful to know about PSM is open. Therefore, this article reviews the literature of the last thirty years and identifies five main streams within the literature itself. Leadership in public sector is accepted to be an important component of good governance in general and good public governance in particular. In this context, this article will present recent developments in leadership literature with a view to highlight significance of public leadership while also providing food for thought for public leadership in Turkey. First, an overview of how the public leadership is perceived in international organizations like OECD will be brought into perspective. Second, taking into the vast scholarly literature on leadership, recent research on the theory and practice of leadership will be highlighted.