The Effect of Competence And Workload On Employee Performance At XYZ Distributor Company: The Mediating Role of Work Motivation

The dynamic development of the distribution sector demands human resource management to continuously improve organizational productivity. This study aims to empirically analyze the effect of competence and workload on employee performance at Distribution Company XYZ in Medan, positioning work motivation as a mediating variable. Based on Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, competence is identified as part of the motivator factors, while workload is positioned as part of the hygiene factors. This study uses a descriptive quantitative approach. Research data were collected by distributing questionnaires via Google Form to all respondents. Using simple random sampling technique and Slovin formula calculation, a sample of 100 employees was obtained. The data analysis technique used in this study is Structural Equation Modeling with the Partial Least Squares approach (PLS-SEM), operated through SmartPLS version 3.29 software. The results of this study are expected to provide theoretical and practical contributions for company management in designing strategic policies related to human resource management. Through hypothesis testing (t-value and p-value tests), this study examines seven main hypotheses including the direct effect of competence, workload, and work motivation on performance, as well as the indirect effect through mediation pathways (no mediation, full mediation, or partial mediation). The findings of this study are intended to serve as a baseline for distribution company XYZ to restructure workload distribution, optimize knowledge capacity, and increase employee achievement drive to attain maximum operational efficiency.