Transformational Leadership and Project Success: A Mediating Role of Public Service Motivation

Abstract

Previous studies have linked public-sector employees’ motivation to desired results such as higher performance and improved quality of public services. However, questions about the impact of employee motivation on public projects have received less attention. This article uses work motivation theory to explore the fundamental processes by which transformational leadership (TL) and public service motivation (PSM) engender public project success (PS). Analysis of 296 public servants’ data working on Pakistan public projects showed a positive correlation between TL, PSM, and PS. It also showed that PSM partially mediates the relationship between TL and PS.

Perceived organizational support and organizational citizenship behavior–A study of the moderating effect of volunteer participation motivation, and cross-level effect of transformational leadership and organizational climate

“…Furthermore, a transformational leader encourages subordinates to take more responsibility, thereby helping them reach their full potential ( Chebon et al, 2019 ; Bin Bakr and Alfayez, 2021 ). A distinctive characteristic of transformational leaders is that they share a group interest-oriented vision with the people around them ( Fareed and Su, 2022 ). In addition, a transformational leader tends to create a committed work climate.…”

Servant Leadership and Followers Prosocial Rule-Breaking: The Mediating Role of Public Service Motivation

“…The dimensions of PSM such as commitment to the public interest, compassion, and self-sacrificing attitudes are directly related to actions taken in the interest of the public and others. Earlier studies have noted managerial leadership as one of the key factors for inspiring and promoting PSM ( Schwarz et al, 2020 ; Fareed and Su, 2021 ; Iqbal and Ahmad, 2021 ; Iqbal and Piwowar-Sulej, 2021 ). Compared to other leadership styles servant leadership has more unique followers and other-centered attributes, including altruistic calling, listening, empathy, emotional healing, awareness, persuasion, empowerment, foresight, stewardship, growth, and community building ( Barbuto and Wheeler, 2006 ); emphasis on moral and ethical values ( Graham, 1991 ); self-sacrifice, compassion, and altruism ( Eva et al, 2019 ); followers satisfaction based on emotional, ethical, spiritual, and relational grounds ( Lee et al, 2020 ).…”

“…PSM is a dynamic condition influenced by various organizational forces ( Perry and Wise, 1990 ), and managerial leadership is one of the most important organizational interventions which is consistently suggested to practitioners for improving PSM ( Hameduddin and Engbers, 2021 ) and as an alternative to the traditional means (e.g., pay for performance) for fostering PSM in public and non-profit workers ( Papenfuß and Keppeler, 2020 ). Social psychological theories, such as the role modeling effects of social learning theory (SLT) ( Bandura and Walters, 1977 ) are used for supporting the association between managerial leadership and followers PSM ( Fareed and Su, 2021 ). Some limited studies have noted that servant leadership with servant characteristics fosters employee PSM ( Shim and Park, 2019 ; Tran and Truong, 2021 ), and only one study has noted that employees with high PSM are more likely to engage in PSRB ( Weißmüller et al, 2020 ).…”

Transformational Leadership and Project Success: The Mediating Role of Psychological Empowerment

“…Psychological empowerment is a prerequisite for effective transformational leadership behavior in innovative behavior and performance (Appelbaum et al, 2015; Pieterse et al, 2010). Motivating and inspirational leaders directly (Fareed & Su, 2022) and indirectly (through psychological empowerment) influence PS (Khan, Jaafar, et al, 2020). Psychologically empowered and motivated employees are imperative for PS (Khan, Malik, & Saleem, 2020).…”