The effect of political alignment on street‐level bureaucrat job satisfaction and motivation

Abstract

AbstractThis paper examines how political alignment influences the job satisfaction and motivation of street‐level bureaucrats (SLBs)—low‐level frontline workers implementing policies while interacting directly with the public. I argue that political alignment affects SLBs' job satisfaction and motivation to work harder through three theoretical channels: (1) policy‐driven effects, particularly demoralization from implementing disagreeable policies; (2) spill‐over effects from other policy areas; and (3) political person‐organization fit effects, which result in decreased pride in their employer. Using the International Social Survey Program data from 34 countries, and panel data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel, tracking 880 respondents over 30 years, I find a robust link between political alignment and job satisfaction and motivation, and evidence for all three links. These findings underscore the importance of considering political alignment as a key factor in understanding and improving street‐level bureaucrat performance beyond policy‐specific and client‐specific contexts.