Explaining Public Service Motivation among Female Civil Servants: The Role of Organizational Culture and Leadership in South Korea

This study explores the impact of organizational culture (OC), perceived leadership (PL), and work-life balance (WLB) on public service motivation (PSM) among female civil servants in South Korea. Utilizing data from the 2023 Korean Civil Service Survey (N = 3,196), hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to assess the direct effects of OC and PL, and the potential moderating role of WLB. The results show that both OC and PL have strong and significant positive effects on PSM, confirming their roles as key organizational drivers of motivation. While the proposed moderating effects of WLB were not statistically supported, its inclusion as a personal well-being factor reflects its continued relevance in public sector work environments. This study further contributes to the PSM literature by introducing a gender-sensitive lens, highlighting the intersection of organizational structures and gendered experiences in shaping public employee motivation. The findings offer implications for both theory and practice, especially in the context of inclusive human resource management and civil service reform in East Asia.