Should Heterogeneity Matter? The Case of Malaysia: Evaluating Public Service Motivation in a Non-Homogenous Society

Drawing works on Publis Service Motivation(PSM), heterogeneity and institutions, this article suggests that in assessing an individuals PSM and chances of joining the public service, ethnic heterogeneity matters. It matters because while personal attributes like education, personal values and identity, political beliefs, socialisation - are important in determining ones public service motivation, an ethnically heterogeneous environment with the potential of producing numerous types of exclusive institutions can influence ones perception of the public service, alter ones motivation to serve in the public service or even determine ones chances of joining the civil service.