Inverted U-shaped relationship between public service motivation and role overload: Psychological empowerment as a moderator

• Ying Zhang

  School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• Dingxiang Chen

  Center for Governance Studies, Beijing Normal University

• Bangcheng Liu

  School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Although role overload in public organizations has become a prominently observed research phenomenon, insufficient attention has been given to the influence of public service motivation (PSM) on role overload. We surveyed 335 Chinese public employees to investigate the relationship between PSM and role overload, and the moderating effect of psychological empowerment on this link. Results showed that PSM and role overload had an inverted U-shaped relationship. Specifically, public employees with midlevel (vs. low-level or high-level) PSM were more likely to feel role overload. Furthermore, higher psychological empowerment reinforced the relationship between PSM and role overload. This research adds to the advancement of role stress theory, reveals the dark side of PSM, and illustrates the importance of managers providing adequate resources and fully empowering employees.

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