Motivação na Administração Pública: considerações teóricas sobre a aplicabilidade dos pressupostos das teorias motivacionais na esfera pública

Abstract

Can you motivate the public server? The search for the answer to this question was the starting point of this essay. At first impulse, probably the vast majority of people would say no. However, after studying the characteristics and peculiarities of Public Management (GRANJERO, 2002; OSBORDE and GAEBLER, 1994; SCELSIA and COSTA, 1991) and the presentation of theories of motivation (ROBBINS, 2002; HENDRY GREW and PETTER, 2000; BERGAMINI, 1998 and BERGAMINI and CODA, 1995) it appears that the answer is not exactly negative. However, the public administrator should be careful about the applicability of these theories, always bearing in mind the particularities of public management identified in this study. The Manager of People in the public sphere can take advantage of both the theories of process, the content, to improve their working environment and encourage people to work better; safeguarding the intrinsic aspect of motivation and the factors affecting the workplace. Through analysis of the theories of motivation is evident that each individual usually seeks through his work, an opportunity to realize their potential and, as the work in the public sector meets the needs of self-development of people, the motivation becomes more evident. In short, it seems that the idea of public service motivation is not so distant from reality, but public officials should be aware of their mission and set their own personal goals to stimulate their professional growth and improve the image of public administration in the country.