The Mediating Role of Work Enthusiasm in the Relationship between Competence, Motivation, Spiritual Intelligence, and Employee Performance in Recreational Tourism Organizations

This research explores the intricate relationships among employee competence, motivation, spiritual intelligence, work enthusiasm, and overall performance within the context of a recreational sector organization. Employing a quantitative, explanatory research design within a positivist paradigm, the study aims to empirically test how these key organizational variables interact, with particular focus on the mediating role of work enthusiasm as a psychological mechanism that translates individual resources into tangible performance outcomes. Drawing conceptual insights from established theories including Vroom’s Expectancy Theory, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the evolving construct of spiritual intelligence, the investigation examines both direct and indirect effects among variables. Data collected from employees of PT Taman Rekreasi Sengkaling (Recreational Park) UMM reveal that while technical competence is the most significant predictor of performance, intrinsic motivation and spiritual intelligence influence performance predominantly through their impact on work enthusiasm. The findings underscore that fostering employee vigor, dedication, and absorption is vital to converting personal and organizational resources into sustained performance enhancements. Practical implications suggest that organizations should invest in comprehensive skills development, promote values-based leadership, and implement strategies that cultivate intrinsic motivation and purpose-driven engagement. By integrating spiritual intelligence and work enthusiasm as critical mediators, this study advances existing organizational behavior models, emphasizing holistic approaches for optimizing employee performance in hybrid and service-oriented environments. The insights herein contribute to a better understanding of how psychological factors motivate organizational success in contemporary workplaces.