Motivation on Employee Performance through Top Leadership Commitment

Abstract

Purpose: This research study examined the fit of top leadership commitment in mediating the relationship between employee motivation and employee performance in the railway sector. The study attempted to fill the gap in the literature by providing more insight into the nature of the relationship between employee motivation and performance.
Study design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a quantitative research approach with sample data collected from 337 TAZARA employees. Validity, reliability and model fit were tested using factor analysis, principal component analysis and regression analysis in Jamovi software.
Findings: The results show a significant positive relationship between employee motivation and employee performance and between top leadership commitment and employee performance. Top leadership commitment was found to fully mediate the relationship between employee motivation and employee performance.
Originality/value: This was the first study to empirically test the mediating effect of top leadership commitment on employee motivation and performance in the railway sector. The research findings may help decision-makers in the railway industry to be committed to motivating employees to promote high performance in their organisations. Researchers are also strongly encouraged to replicate this research in other sectors and are advised to include other contingency variables as moderating variables.