Public Service Motivation and the Technical, Political, and Facilitator Roles of City Planners

Abstract

Using a survey of planners in the United States, this study examines their roles (technical, political, and facilitator) in relation to public service motivation and determining the public interest. Regression analyses show different components of public service motivation associated with the facilitator and technician roles but not the political role. Also of significance were gender, age, professionalism, organizations, and population. Other results indicate planners favoring citizens over elected officials in deciding the public interest. This study highlights how planners and public administrators may differ on public service and reveals the struggle planners face in reconciling their roles within public organizations.

Keywords:

• roles
• public service motivation
• organizational behavior
• city planners

Notes

The Social Capital Benchmark Survey 2000 data used in this study were collected by Professor Robert D. Putnam of the Saguaro Seminar Civic Engagement in America, a project of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and numerous community foundations nationwide, and made available through the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.