Developing a Structural Model of Factors Affecting Behavioral Engagement in the Public Sector (in Persian)

Purpose: Today, with the increase in procrastination and loafing behaviors, behavioral commitment in government organizations is a serious challenge for human resource managers. In this regard, researchers consider inspirational leadership as a factor that can lead to strengthening employees' tendencies towards behavioral engagement in addition to reducing undesirable organizational behaviors. The purpose of the study was to develop a structural model of influential factors in behavioral engagement in the public sector. Methodology: This study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive in nature. We administered structured questionnaires to collect data. The statistical population of the study included 47 provincial units of executive agencies located in Alborz province. Through the simple random sampling method, at least 470 employees of these agencies participated in the survey. Cronbach's alpha test was used to measure reliability and the Lavshe criterion was used to measure validity. Structural equation testing in Smart PLS software was used to analyze the hypotheses. Findings: Results show that all the relationships among the constructs are significant and statistically confirmed. Specifically, the relationships between inspirational leadership and behavioral engagement and public service motivation are strongly significant. This effect is observed both directly and indirectly through mediating variables such as public service motivation and learnability. In addition, perceived supportive culture and learnability have a positive and significant effect on behavioral engagement. Inspirational leadership, supportive culture, learnability, and public service motivation are the most important factors affecting employees' behavioral engagement, respectively. Originality: The use of two theories of member-leader exchange and social exchange in examining the relationship between inspirational leadership and behavioral engagement can be considered as the value and originality of the research, which was considered in this study. Recommendations: It is suggested that government organizations facilitate employee participation in decision-making processes, develop strategies to promote inspirational leadership style in their management, and develop professional culture and ethics among employees to increase commitment to the public interest.