Public Administration and Youth: Study of Value Orientation

Academic programs focusing on Public Administration (PA) in Czechia and Slovakia have recently faced a decline in demand. This situation threatens the existence of these programs and, consequently, the availability of skilled public administration servants. Understanding the causes of this problem is a prerequisite for mitigating its impact. The study aims to contribute to the development of the Public Sector Motivation concept by exploring how value orientations among youth influence their perception of PA and their interest in pursuing a career in the public sector. The research uses primary data from surveys conducted among secondary school students (237 Czech respondents, 96 Slovak respondents). The findings indicate that respondents in both countries generally hold negative perceptions of PA. Coupled with a divergence in value-driven motivation between countries, the study helps explain the continuing decline in demand for PA-oriented study programs in both countries.