A Systematic Review of Human Resource Management Strategies for Enhancing Employees’ Public Service Motivation: A Case Study of the Baghdad Health Insurance Department

Nihad  Salim Abdul Redha AL-Buslaimy; Mahdi Mortazavi; Seyed Hosein  Kazemi

Authors

Nihad Salim Abdul Redha AL-Buslaimy Ph.D. student, Department of Public Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2497-6892
Mahdi Mortazavi Associate Professor, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Corresponding author https://orcid.org/0000-0156-8196-7200
Seyed Hosein Kazemi Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8458-3834

Keywords:

systematic review, human resource management strategies, employee public service motivation, Baghdad Health Insurance Department, content analysis

Abstract

This study systematically reviews the published literature to identify, categorize, and develop an integrated framework of effective human resource management strategies for enhancing employees’ public service motivation in the Baghdad Health Insurance Department. To achieve this objective, a systematic review method and an extensive search of reputable scientific databases were employed. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were used to improve the accuracy and transparency of reporting. The study population consisted of all scientific articles related to public service motivation and human resource management strategies in public-sector organizations. The search and screening process was conducted in several stages, ultimately resulting in the inclusion of 23 articles—16 articles identified through the primary search pathway and 7 articles identified through the supplementary pathway—as the final sources for analysis. The CASP checklist was used to assess article quality, and the data were analyzed through a systematic content analysis approach. The content analysis identified and extracted 12 key components: “leadership emphasizing public values and role modeling,” “the establishment of a service-oriented and ethics-based organizational culture,” “the strengthening of social responsibility and commitment to the public interest,” “job design emphasizing social impact and service to citizens,” “increased task variety and decision-making autonomy,” “the creation of opportunities for direct interaction with stakeholders and receipt of feedback,” “training in public service values and service-delivery competencies,” “the establishment of a clear career path emphasizing advancement in public service,” “continuous learning and constructive feedback for performance improvement,” “job characteristics and the nature of tasks,” “the organizational environment and prevailing culture,” and “organizational justice and job support.” Finally, a conceptual model consisting of five levels—input, mechanism, core, output, and moderator—was developed. The principal contribution of this study is the identification and presentation of an integrated framework of effective human resource management strategies for strengthening employees’ public service motivation, with particular emphasis on the central role of public service motivation as the model’s core construct. The findings can assist human resource managers and policymakers in public-sector organizations in developing and implementing policies that address employees’ needs and expectations, enhance public service motivation, and improve organizational productivity.

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