The Role of Work Motivation in Mediating Organizational Culture and Compensation on Lecturer Performance at Uin Raden Fatah Palembang

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the role of work motivation in mediating the influence of organizational culture and compensation on lecturer performance at UIN Raden Fatah Palembang. Research Methodology: This study employs a quantitative approach with descriptive and verificative designs. The population was all 578 ASN lecturers at UIN Raden Fatah Palembang, with a sample of 236 lecturers determined using the Slovin formula with a 5% margin of error. Sampling used proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires with a 5-point Likert scale. Data analysis used Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS 3.0. Results: The results showed that: (1) organizational culture positively and significantly affects work motivation (β=0.531; t=11.127; p=0.000); (2) compensation positively and significantly affects work motivation (β=0.300; t=6.005; p=0.000); (3) organizational culture positively and significantly affects lecturer performance (β=0.203; t=3.967; p=0.000); (4) compensation positively and significantly affects lecturer performance (β=0.123; t=2.422; p=0.016); (5) work motivation positively and significantly affects lecturer performance (β=0.538; t=9.358; p=0.000); (6) work motivation mediates the influence of organizational culture on lecturer performance (β=0.286; t=6.947; p=0.000); and (7) work motivation mediates the influence of compensation on lecturer performance (β=0.162; t=5.517; p=0.000). R-Square values were 0.497 for work motivation and 0.574 for lecturer performance (moderate category). Conclusion: Organizational culture and compensation directly influence lecturer performance, both directly and indirectly through work motivation as a mediating variable. The partial mediation model confirms that work. Limitations: The study is limited by its cross-sectional design, convenience sampling, and student-based sample, which may restrict generalizability.