Public service motivation and non-attendance intention: The case of social workers

Public service motivation (PSM) is recognized as an important topic in the field of management and organization. However, it appears that it has not been sufficiently examined in conjunction with related concepts. On the other hand, the issue of absence in work life has generally been studied only in terms of its tangible form, such as absenteeism. This study aims to reveal the relationships between public service motivation and the non-attendance intention. For this purpose, survey data were collected between January and April 2025 from 238 social workers employed in both the public and private sectors by using face-to-face and online survey methods. The survey form included the Public Service Motivation Scale, the Non-Attendance Intention Scale, and demographic questions. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS and IBM SPSS Amos statistical software. According to the findings, the empathy and self-sacrifice dimension of public service motivation negatively predicted the non-attendance intention and its subdimensions. Conversely, the commitment to public interest dimension of public service motivation was found to have no statistically significant relationship with the non-attendance intention and its subdimensions. As another original contribution of this research, the Non-Attendance Intention Scale was adapted into Turkish. The results of the analyses demonstrated that the scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool in both its unidimensional and two-dimensional structures. The scale consists of six items and two subdimensions: Intention to Leave Work Early (3 items) and Intention to Be Late for Work (3 items). Based on the study findings, suggestions were presented for work life as well as for future research.