What drives perceived job crafting in the public sector? Evidence from a randomized COM-B informed intervention study

Drawing on the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation–Behavior (COM-B) framework, this study examines the impact of an intervention designed to help public employees develop the capability, motivation, and opportunity to reshape their work through job crafting strategies within highly rule-bound organizational contexts. Using a randomized longitudinal study from Italy, the findings show that a COM-B-informed job crafting intervention significantly enhanced social job resources and reduced hindering job demands. Although improvements in structural job resources and challenging job demands are more limited, the intervention promoted adaptive forms of job redesign that fit the constraints and dynamics of bureaucratic environments. Additionally, Public Service Motivation (PSM) helps sustain self-reported job crafting behaviors, and empowering leadership creates conditions that enable them. Overall, the study highlights the need for tailored job crafting interventions aligned with the structural and motivational dynamics of the public sector, fostering a more engaged and adaptable workforce. Moreover, the findings offer practical insights for public organizations seeking to enhance employee effectiveness and job satisfaction through structured job crafting initiatives.