Public Service Motivation Theory: Differences between White Collar Criminals in the Public and Private Sectors

Abstract

Public service motivation theory suggests that individuals tend to work in the public sector based on values that are different from the values of people who work in the private sector. This article explores differences between the public and private sector in terms of the prevalence and characteristics of white-collar criminals found in both sectors. Based on a sample of 369 convicted whitecollar criminals in Norway from 2009 to 2013, this study shows that the prevalence of convicted white-collar criminals in the public sector is substantially lower than in the private sector. Furthermore, white-collar criminals in the public sector are significantly older, and they work in significantly larger organizations.