Competence, Work Discipline, and Employee Performance: The Mediating Role of Work Motivation in a Palm Oil Plantation

This study examines the effects of competence and work discipline on employee performance and tests work motivation as a mediating mechanism at the Garden Unit of PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV Regional VI Cot Girek, North Aceh. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 200 employees selected from a population of 539 using purposive sampling. Data were collected through a five-point Likert questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4. The measurement model satisfied convergent validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency requirements. Competence had positive effects on work motivation (β = 0.467, p < 0.001) and employee performance (β = 0.286, p < 0.001). Work discipline also positively affected work motivation (β = 0.223, p = 0.001) and performance (β = 0.220, p < 0.001). Work motivation was the strongest direct predictor of performance (β = 0.480, p < 0.001). Indirect effects through work motivation were significant for competence (β = 0.224) and work discipline (β = 0.107), indicating partial mediation. The findings show that employee performance in plantation operations improves when ability and disciplined work practices are supported by stronger work motivation.