The results of the second hierarchical regression analysis (table 4) show that the different
dimensions of PSM have divergent effects on resignation. The addition of the PSM
dimensions to the control variables (step 2 of the second hierarchical regression analysis,
presented in table 4) has only a little effect on the explained variance of resignation (step 1:
R2 = .094; step 2 : R2 = .138;R2 = .044). However, this model clearly demonstrates that
the four dimensions of PSM do not have an equal effect on resignation. The ‘attraction to
policy-making’ and ‘commitment to public interest/civic duty’ PSM dimensions have a
negative and significant effect on resignation, whereas the ‘compassion’ and ‘self-sacrifice’
PSM dimensions have a positive and significant effect on resignation. As stated by Taylor,
‘the negative association between affective motives and job motivation may suggest
that the respondents perceived their work environment as being less than supportive
in helping them achieve their desire to serve the public’ (Taylor 2007, p. 948). These
results partially contradict other studies pointing out the positive effect of ‘self-sacrifice’
on job satisfaction (Vandenabeele 2009). However, our results confirm that the different
public service orientations encompassing the PSM construct do have divergent effects
on employees’ outcomes, such as job satisfaction, and, for the specific purpose of this
article, resignation. In other words, the different orientations towards public service have
different impacts on the equilibrium between individual expectations or aspirations and
work situation. Our results suggest that ‘attraction to policy-making’ and, to a larger
extent, ‘commitment to public interest/civic duty’ represent the PSM dimensions that are
more compatible with the realities of bureaucratic work.