The Effect of Mentoring in the Public Sector

Abstract

Using data from 1,220 public and nonprofit sector managers in Georgia and Illinois, this research assesses intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as predictors of job satisfaction in association with mentoring. Using analyses of ordinary least squares regression and structural equation modeling, statistically significant and positive relationships were found between intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction. The impact of extrinsic motivation on job satisfaction was found to vary. Job satisfaction was significantly and positively related to organizational trust but negatively related to economic benefit and risk-averse organizational values and goals. Furthermore, mentoring showed a mediating effect on the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and job satisfaction. These findings suggest that mentoring in the public sector not only helps organizational members to develop their careers and to build better relationships with colleagues but also results in an increased relationship between job motivation and job satisfaction.