SURABAYA (stiesia.ac.id) – The Doctoral Program in Management Science at STIESIA Surabaya has added another distinguished scholar to its roster of graduates. Ahmad Dzulfikri Budi Kusworo successfully defended his dissertation during the doctoral examination held at the STIESIA Postgraduate Building on December 4, 2024.
Ahmad Dzulfikri Budi Kusworo, the son of the late Prof. Dr. Tsuroya Kiswati, a prominent professor at Sunan Ampel State Islamic University (UINSA) Surabaya, presented his dissertation titled “Job Satisfaction Mediates the Effect of Competence and Training on Employee Performance: A Study on SMEs Members of the Intako Cooperative in Sidoarjo.”
The research aimed to examine and analyze the mediating role of job satisfaction in the relationship between competence, training, and employee performance among SMEs affiliated with the Intako Cooperative.
Utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and an explanatory research approach, the study explored causal relationships among variables through hypothesis testing.
The findings revealed that job satisfaction acts as a mediating variable between competence and training, significantly influencing the performance of employees within the SMEs.
Research Design and Data Collection
The study focused on employees and owner-employees of SMEs affiliated with the Intako Cooperative, categorized into small-scale and medium-scale industries. From a total population of 280 individuals—comprising 100 from small-scale industries and 180 from medium-scale industries—a representative sample of 165 respondents was selected. This included 59 participants from small-scale industries and 106 from medium-scale industries.
Primary data were collected through questionnaires addressing competence, training, job satisfaction, and employee performance. Secondary data included the historical background of SMEs under the Intako Cooperative.
Novelty and Practical Implications
Ahmad highlighted the novelty of his research, emphasizing the mediating role of job satisfaction in the relationship between competence and training with employee performance. He stated that this study addresses research gaps in previous studies while offering solutions to the declining income and performance of employees in SMEs under the Intako Cooperative.
Theoretically, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing employee performance in the SME sector. Ahmad expressed his hope that the research would serve as a reference for future studies on similar topics.
Practically, the research is intended to guide SMEs within the Intako Cooperative in enhancing key factors that drive employee performance. Furthermore, it offers recommendations for policymaking and program evaluation, particularly for government initiatives aimed at empowering SMEs, as implemented by the Cooperative and SME Department, the Department of Industry and Trade, and the Energy and Mineral Resources Department in Sidoarjo.
This achievement marks another milestone for Ahmad Dzulfikri Budi Kusworo, who also serves as a lecturer at NSC Polytechnic, as he contributes to advancing research and development in the field of management science.
Written by : Fathurrochman Al Aziz
Photograph : STIESIA Public Relations Team