The Influence of Competence and Work Motivation on Employee Performance with Job Satisfaction as a Mediating Variable: A Narrative Literature Review
Keywords:
competence , employee performance, job satisfaction, narrative literature review, work motivationAbstract
This study aims to analyze the influence of competence and work motivation on employee performance
with job satisfaction as a mediating variable through a narrative literature review approach. The
review utilized 20 scientific articles published between 2021 and 2025, sourced from national and
international journals indexed in academic databases such as Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria
included similarity of research variables, namely competence, work motivation, job satisfaction, and
employee performance. Data analysis was conducted descriptively through the process of reviewing,
grouping, and synthesizing findings from previous studies to identify patterns of relationships among
variables. The results indicate that competence and work motivation generally have a positive effect on
employee performance, both partially and simultaneously. Competence plays a role in improving
employees' technical, conceptual, and interpersonal abilities, while work motivation drives enthusiasm,
commitment, and work productivity. In addition, job satisfaction is proven to be a significant mediating
variable in strengthening the relationship between competence and work motivation on employee
performance. The findings also indicate that competence and work motivation influence job
satisfaction, which subsequently impacts the improvement of employee performance. However, some
studies show variation in results, where partially competence and work motivation do not always have
a significant effect on employee performance. Nevertheless, simultaneously, both variables continue to
have a meaningful influence, with job satisfaction as the dominant factor. This confirms the strategic
role of job satisfaction as a mediator in enhancing the effectiveness of the relationships among
variables. In conclusion, competence, work motivation, job satisfaction, and employee performance are
interrelated and mutually reinforcing. Therefore, organizations need to manage these three aspects in
an integrated manner to sustainably improve employee performance.
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