WORK FACILITIES AND LEADERSHIP AS DETERMINANTS OF EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF JOB SATISFACTION AT SMKN 1 AEK KUASAN

Abstract

This study aims to examine the influence of Work Facilities and Leadership on the performance of employees at SMKN 1 Aek Kuasan, both directly and indirectly through Job Satisfaction as an intervening variable. The research population consisted of all 32 permanent employees of SMKN 1 Aek Kuasan. Due to the relatively small population size, a saturated sampling technique was employed, meaning the entire population was included as the research sample. Data collection was conducted using two sources. Primary data were obtained through structured questionnaires distributed to all employees, while secondary data were gathered through document studies related to organizational and employee records. Quantitative data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 25, employing t-tests, Sobel tests, and path analysis to evaluate the relationships between variables. The results revealed that Work Facilities have a positive and significant impact on Job Satisfaction, as does Leadership. Both variables were also found to positively and significantly influence employee performance directly. Furthermore, Job Satisfaction was demonstrated to have a positive and significant effect on performance, highlighting its role as a crucial mediating factor. Overall, the study confirms that both Work Facilities and Leadership not only contribute directly to enhancing employee performance but also exert an indirect effect through Job Satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance for organizations to invest in adequate work facilities and effective leadership practices, as they can improve employee satisfaction and, in turn, overall organizational performance. This research provides valuable insights for management strategies aiming to optimize employee outcomes in educational institutions.