Priming in Behavioral Public Administration: Methodological and Practical Considerations for Research and Scholarship

ABSTRACT:

Despite its ubiquity in psychology and behavioral economics, and its utility in the assessment of cognitive processes, decisions, behavior, and actions, priming as a technique embedded in experimental designs is novel in behavioral public administration. And there is no clear guidance on how it should be done. We address this gap. Based on an illustrative study involving the priming of three institutional logics among public and private sector workers, and on a supplemental review of the literature, we present a synopsis of the theoretical underpinnings of priming research, and highlight methodological and practical considerations for experimental research using priming techniques. We additionally provide guidance for subsequent research and scholarship, and foreground the development of a methodology for conducting high-quality experimental research using priming techniques.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Benard Ngoye

Benard Ngoye ([email protected]) is a Ph.D. candidate at the Centre for Public Governance at ESADE Business School. His current interests are in behavioral public administration and management, specifically decision making and performance measurement and management.

Vicenta Sierra

Vicenta Sierra ([email protected]) is full professor of Operations, Innovations, and Data Science at ESADE Business School. Her major fields of specialization are advanced statistics and psychometrics.

Tamyko YSA

Tamyko Ysa ([email protected]) is full professor in the Department of Strategy and General Management at ESADE Business School. Her current research interests are in the management of partnerships and their impact on the creation of public value; the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies; and the relations between companies and governments.

Sahar Awan

Sahar Awan ([email protected]) is a Ph.D. candidate at the Centre for Public Governance at ESADE Business School. Her research focuses on micro organization behavior of public sector employees, specifically their attitudes, motivations, and behavior.