Journal of Business Economics

21 Februar 2018

Hirsch, Bernhard; Nitzl, Christian; & Reemts, Stefan. (2018). The Neglected Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Goal Setting Process in Local Public Administrations. Journal of Business Economics, 88(1), 41-63.

Abstract: To analyse the role of self-efficacy in goal setting in public administrations, this study combines goal-setting theory, public service motivation literature and cognitive theory. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), survey data from 105 German civil servants are analysed. The results underline the role of goal setting (represented by goal difficulty and specificity) in determining the self-efficacy of public servants. Public service motivation and goal specificity both increase public servants’ work performance; however, the effects of goal difficulty are negatively mediated by the employee’s self-efficacy. That finding reflects the central role of self-efficacy, which should not be ignored in the goal-setting processes of public administrations.