Enhancing Babinsa Performance in Jember: The Mediating Role of Public Service Motivation on the Relationship Between Servant Leadership and Work Engagement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66931/jmb-380Keywords:
servant leadership, public service motivation, work engagement, Babinsa performanceAbstract
This study examines the role of public service motivation in mediating the relationship between servant leadership and work engagement in enhancing Babinsa performance in Jember. The research adopts a quantitative approach using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) with 226 Babinsa personnel as respondents. Data were collected through structured questionnaires measuring servant leadership, public service motivation, work engagement, and performance indicators. The findings reveal that servant leadership has a significant positive effect on public service motivation and work engagement. Public service motivation also significantly enhances work engagement, indicating that personnel with stronger intrinsic motivation to serve society tend to demonstrate higher levels of enthusiasm, dedication, and involvement in their duties. Furthermore, mediation analysis confirms that public service motivation significantly mediates the relationship between servant leadership and work engagement. The study contributes theoretically by integrating servant leadership theory, public service motivation theory, and work engagement theory within the context of territorial military organizations, which remains underexplored in previous studies. The findings highlight the importance of leadership behaviors emphasizing empathy, empowerment, and ethical responsibility in strengthening personnel motivation and engagement. Practically, this research suggests that Babinsa institutions should develop leadership strategies focused on service orientation and reinforce public service values to improve personnel effectiveness and community trust. Despite its contributions, the study is limited to Babinsa personnel in Jember and employs a cross-sectional design. Future studies are recommended to involve broader contexts and additional organizational variables.
References
Abdelwahed, N. A. A., & Doghan, M. A. A. (2023). Developing employee productivity and performance through work engagement and organizational factors in an educational society. Societies, 13(3), 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13030065
Abdurachman, D., Ramdhan, R. M., Karsoma, A., Winarno, A., & Hermana, D. (2023). Integrating leadership in job demand resources (JD-R) for personal performance in military institution. Sustainability, 15(5), 4004. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054004
Alamri, M. (2023). Transformational leadership and work engagement in public organizations: promotion focus and public service motivation, how and when the effect occurs. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 44(1), 137-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-12-2021-0544
Ansell, C., Sørensen, E., & Torfing, J. (2023). Public administration and politics meet turbulence: The search for robust governance responses. Public administration, 101(1), 3-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12874
Baquero, A. (2023). Authentic leadership, employee work engagement, trust in the leader, and workplace well-being: A moderated mediation model. Psychology research and behavior management, 1403-1424. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S407672
Bucăţa, G., & Andrei, C. (2024). The impact of leadership and management changes on the military organization. Land Forces Academy Review, 29(4), 459-472. https://doi.org/10.2478/raft-2024-0048
Carstensen, M. B., Sørensen, E., & Torfing, J. (2023). Why we need bricoleurs to foster robust governance solutions in turbulent times. Public Administration, 101(1), 36-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12857
Cohen, N. (2023). Public administration reform and political will in cases of political instability: Insights from the Israeli experience. Public policy and administration, 38(4), 405-423. https://doi.org/10.1177/09520767221076059
Culea, M. (2024). The role of military morale as an essential dimension of combat power. Security and Defence Quarterly, 47(3), 1-18.
Dagher, J., Boustani, N. M., & Khneyzer, C. (2024). Unlocking HRM challenges: Exploring motivation and job satisfaction within military service (LAF). Administrative Sciences, 14(4), 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14040063
Darmawan, I., Riana, I. G., Dewi, I. G. A. M., & Putra, M. S. (2024). Determinants of Work Engagement in the Public Sector: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 37(6), 403-424. https://doi.org/10.9734/jesbs/2024/v37i61354
Das, R. (2023). Does public service motivation predict performance in public sector organizations? A longitudinal science mapping study. Management Review Quarterly, 73(3), 1237-1271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-022-00273-w
Ding, M., & Wang, C. (2023). Can public service motivation increase work engagement?-A meta-analysis across cultures. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1060941. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1060941
Fatmah, F. (2025). Roles of community leaders in flood management at the selected flood-prone areas of Jakarta Province. Development in Practice, 35(4), 619-632. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2025.2499006
Guan, M. (2025). The Role of Public Service Motivation in Enhancing Job Performance: A Study of College Counselors in China. Education Sciences, 15(5), 585. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15050585
Guo, S., Wen, B., & Zhu, X. (2024). Understanding civil servants' public service motivation, withdrawal behavior, and taking-charge behavior through the lens of self-determination theory. Chinese Public Administration Review, 15(2), 90-104. https://doi.org/10.1177/15396754241230627
Hussain, M., Luu, T. T., & Marjoribanks, T. (2025). How and when paternalistic leadership influences service innovative behaviour while inhibiting counterproductive work behaviour among healthcare professionals: the roles of perceived supervisor support and public service motivation. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 39(9), 71-95. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-08-2024-0333
Iddagoda, A., Abraham, R., Keppetipola, M., & Dissanayake, H. (2025). The influence of military virtues on job performance in the Sri Lanka Air Force: direct or mediated effects?. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 41(4), 886-904. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-01-2024-0010
Jayasena, W. V., Jusoh, M., & Khatibi, A. (2023). Literature review: Factors affecting employee engagement in private and public sectors. Journal Homepage: http://ijmr. net. in, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.55908/sdgs.v11i10.1853
Katongole, S. P., Mukama, S. C., Nakawesi, J., Bindeeba, D., Simons, E., Mugisa, A., ... & Mukasa, B. (2024). Enhancing HIV treatment and support: a qualitative inquiry into client and healthcare provider perspectives on differential service delivery models in Uganda. AIDS research and therapy, 21(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-024-00637-0
Kernic, F., Elbe, M., & Richter, G. (2023). Military leadership: Concepts and theoretical approaches. In Handbook of Military Sciences (pp. 1-22). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02866-4_61-1
Klijn, E. H., Koppenjan, J., Spekkink, W., & Warsen, R. (2025). Governance networks in the public sector. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003402138
Kokun, O., Pischko, I., & Lozinska, N. (2023). Differences in military personnel's hardiness depending on their leadership levels and combat experience: An exploratory pilot study. Military Psychology, 35(6), 603-610. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2147360
Kwarteng, S., Frimpong, S. O., Asare, R., & Wiredu, T. J. N. (2024). Effect of employee recognition, employee engagement on their productivity: the role of transformational leadership style at Ghana health service. Current Psychology, 43(6), 5502-5513. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04708-9
Lin, M., Liu, Q., & Li, Z. (2024). Perceived superior trust and organizational commitment among public employees: The mediating role of burnout and the moderating role of public service motivation. Heliyon, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24997
Ludviga, I., & Kalvina, A. (2024). Organizational agility during crisis: do employees' perceptions of public sector organizations' strategic agility foster employees' work engagement and well-being?. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 36(2), 209-229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-023-09442-9
Masita, M., Hairi, F. M., Bachtiar, A., Mulyana, N., & Andriani, H. (2025). Community-driven strategies and policies for drug-resistant tuberculosis control in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia: A comprehensive 2023 analysis. Journal of Public Health Research, 14(3), 22799036251376872. https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036251376872
Mishra, S. S., & Hassen, M. H. (2023). Servant leadership and employee's job performance: the role of public service motivation in Ethiopian public sector organizations. International Journal of Public Leadership, 19(1), 64-80. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-05-2022-0025
Mulaphong, D. (2023). Citizen engagement in coproductive community services: examining the influence of community attachment, trust in the local government, and the leadership of local elected officials. Community Development, 54(5), 767-782. https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2022.2127155
Nguyen, N. T. H., Nguyen, D., Vo, N., & Tuan, L. T. (2023). Fostering public sector employees' innovative behavior: the roles of servant leadership, public service motivation, and learning goal orientation. Administration & Society, 55(1), 30-63. https://doi.org/10.1177/00953997221100623
Onstantinos Challoumis, C., & Eriotis, N. (2024). A historical analysis of the banking system and its impact on Greek economy. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4986469
Park, M., & Kim, Y. (2025). Revisiting public service motivation: A context-specific exploration of its linkages to job performance pre-and post-COVID-19. Chinese Public Administration Review, 16(2), 77-88. https://doi.org/10.1177/15396754251319046
Quynh, T. N. T., Alang, T., & Le, T. D. (2025). Examining the relationships between ethical leadership and organisational citizenship behaviours in a transitional country: the mediation of public service motivation. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 47(3), 286-313. https://doi.org/10.1080/23276665.2025.2453862
Rafique, M. A., Hou, Y., Chudhery, M. A. Z., Gull, N., & Ahmed, S. J. (2023). The dimensional linkage between public service motivation and innovative behavior in public sector institutions; the mediating role of psychological empowerment. European Journal of Innovation Management, 26(1), 207-229. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-02-2021-0098
Ripoll, G., & Schott, C. (2023). Does public service motivation foster justification of unethical behavior? Evidence from survey research among citizens. International Public Management Journal, 26(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/10967494.2020.1825576
Rochmayanto, Y., Sakuntaladewi, N., Iqbal, M., Winarno, B., Lestari, S., Qirom, M. A., ... & Robins, L. (2024). Stakeholder mapping for peatland fire management in Indonesia: The case of Kayu Labu and Tumbang Nusa Villages. Mires and Peat, 30. https://doi.org/10.19189/MAP.2023.OMB.SC.2441418
Salahat, M., Ajouz, M., Hammash, A., Shehadeh, M., Tunsi, W., Jamjoom, Y., ... & Al-Sartawi, A. (2023). The nexus of leadership styles and total quality management: enhancing healthcare sector implications through individual readiness to change within decisions sciences framework. Operational Research in Engineering Sciences: Theory and Applications, 6(4).
Schönherr, L., & Thaler, J. (2024). Personality traits and public service motivation as psychological antecedents of managerial networking. Public Management Review, 26(10), 2701-2727. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2023.2192218
Shahnaz, M. (2024). The impacts of the servant leadership on the innovative work behaviors: looking at the role of public service motivation and employee engagement. Journal of Chinese Human Resources Management.
Sharkey, P., & Ittner, T. (2025). Turning Toward the Community: Theory and Evidence for the Role of Community-Oriented Organizations in the Effort to Confront Violence. Annual Review of Criminology, 9. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-criminol-111523-122521
Stacey, M., McGrath-Champ, S., & Wilson, R. (2023). Teacher attributions of workload increase in public sector schools: Reflections on change and policy development. Journal of Educational Change, 24(4), 971-993. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-022-09476-0
Thuy, N. T. T., & Phinaitrup, B. A. (2023). The effect of public service motivation on job performance of public servants in Vietnam: The role of mediation of job satisfaction and person-organization fit. International Journal of Public Administration, 46(5), 326-343. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2021.1995747
Tu, W., Hsieh, C. W., Chen, C. A., & Wen, B. (2024). Public service motivation, performance-contingent pay, and job satisfaction of street-level bureaucrats. Public Personnel Management, 53(2), 256-280. https://doi.org/10.1177/00910260231201628
Udin, U., Chanthes, S., & Dananjoyo, R. (2025). Servant leadership, work engagement and affective commitment in social exchange perspective: A mediation-moderation framework. Human Systems Management, 44(1), 133-142. https://doi.org/10.3233/HSM-240077
Uluturk, B. (2024). How servant leadership influences street-level bureaucrats' work engagement: The mediating roles of motivating language and perceived organizational support. Management Communication Quarterly, 38(3), 562-594. https://doi.org/10.1177/08933189231219708
Verka, S. T., Sabharwal, M., & Hassan, S. (2025). Impact of public leadership on public service motivation and performance in complex environments. Public Administration and Development, 45(1), 16-31. https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.2069
Wai, L. C., Isa, A. M. M., Bhandari, P., Senathirajah, A. R. B. S., Haque, R., Devasia, S. N., ... & Al-Hunaiyyan, A. (2024). Factors influencing job satisfaction to ensure sustainable growth amongst family-owned organizations in Malaysia. Kurdish Studies, 12(1), 3144-3173.
Weathers, C. (2023). Military Culture Shift: The Impact of War, Money, and Generational Perspective on Morale, Retention, and Leadership. Elva Resa Publishing.
Yesilkagit, K., Bauer, M., Peters, B. G., & Pierre, J. (2024). The Guardian State: Strengthening the public service against democratic backsliding. Public Administration Review, 84(3), 414-425. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13808
Yousf, A., & Khurshid, S. (2024). Impact of employer branding on employee commitment: employee engagement as a mediator. Vision, 28(1), 35-46. https://doi.org/10.1177/09722629211013608
Zahari, N., & Kaliannan, M. (2023). Antecedents of work engagement in the public sector: A systematic literature review. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 43(3), 557-582. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X221106792
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Yudha Pradana, Rijalus zeman (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
