Strategies to increase employee motivation in public administration

Heinz, Dieser, Karl (2025) Strategies to increase employee motivation in public administration. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 26 (2). pp. 1155-1163. ISSN 2581-9615

This thesis examines the theoretical significance of employee motivation in the public sector against the backdrop of current challenges such as demographic change and increasing staff shortages. In view of rising fluctuation rates, motivation is seen as a key success factor for performance and innovation in the public sector. The aim of the study is to analyze the relevance of individual motives and situational incentives for the development and maintenance of motivation in the context of public administrations. Methodologically, the work is based on a systematic literature review with a focus on scientific sources from the European Economic Area. The focus is on a thematic synthesis of relevant theoretical and empirical contributions to motivation theory. Particular attention is paid to the critical classification of Maslow's pyramid of needs. Based on these approaches, an extended motivation model is developed that takes into account current work-cultural conditions and differentiated employee needs. The study is conducted in accordance with scientific quality criteria and leads to a hypothesis-oriented discussion. The central assumption is that increased fluctuation is associated with a decline in employee motivation. The results suggest that motivation in the public sector cannot be promoted by structural incentive systems alone, but that an integrative approach is required that includes both individual dispositions and organizational framework conditions. The article thus makes a contribution to the further development of motivation-promoting personnel strategies in the public sector.