Public Service Motivation in the Korean Context: Testing Attraction-Selection and Socialization Effects with Panel Data

This paper examines the effect of work values including PSM on sector choice and the change of work values through the socialization process in the Korean context. By doing so, this study disentangles the attraction-selection effect from the socialization effect by utilizing panel data. Our findings are consistent with recent studies using panel data that show that PSM does not predict actual employment in the public sector. The results indicate that extrinsic work values such as job security and recognition from others are significant variables affecting public sector employment. Regarding socialization, we find no evidence that PSM is socialized through employment in the public sector, but there is evidence that public sector employees increase their work values of recognition from others after employment compared to those in the private sector. Contributions to existing knowledge and implications are discussed.