A Systematic Literature Review of Motivation in Public Sector Organizations: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Motivation in public sector organizations is a central topic in the study of modern public administration because it has a great influence on employee performance, organizational effectiveness, and the quality of public services. This article is a systematic literature review (SLR) that aims to compile previous research on motivation in the public sector, focusing on the challenges and opportunities identified in the literature. This study analyzes publications from 2021 to 2025 from various reputable databases by highlighting theoretical frameworks such as Public Service Motivation (PSM) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). The purpose of this study is to analyze the main barriers that affect employee motivation, especially those related to bureaucratic structures, limited resources, and rigid performance evaluation systems. The results show that bureaucratic structures, limited resources, and rigid performance evaluation systems are still the main obstacles in maintaining employee motivation. This study contributes to the understanding of motivational dynamics in the public sector and offers recommendations for policymakers and public managers to improve organizational motivation and performance.