Public servant leadership: Myth or powerful reality?

Abstract

This study investigates whether servant leadership has a benevolent influence on government employees' attitudes and productivity. Employing survey responses from 471 local government employees in Korea, this study found that servant leadership contributes to (1) developing employees' trust in leadership, (2) enhancing employees' perception of fair work procedures (procedural justice), and (3) inducing benevolent work behaviors (OCB). Thus, the results indicate that public sector leaders who define themselves as servant leaders can provide a better work environment and greater work engagement opportunities for their employees. © 2016 The Korean Association for Public Administration.