Unveiling the Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Job Satisfaction-Job Performance Relationship: A PLS-SEM Analysis of Libya's Oil and Gas Sector
Keywords:
Job Satisfaction, Job Performance, Self-Efficacy, PLS-SEM, LibyaAbstract
The resource-based view and social exchange theory posit that human capital is the cornerstone of organizational success. In Libya, where the oil and gas sector constitutes the economic lifeline, understanding the drivers of employee performance is paramount. While the direct link between job satisfaction (JS) and job performance (JP) is well-established, the psychological mechanisms that translate satisfaction into performance remain underexplored, particularly in conflict-affected and culturally distinct contexts. This study investigates the mediating role of self-efficacy (SE) in the JS-JP relationship among employees at the Misurata Oil Depot, Libya. Data were collected from 254 employees using a structured questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for analysis. The measurement model demonstrated robust reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The structural model revealed a significant positive direct effect of JS on JP (β = 0.911, p < 0.001), JS on SE (β = 0.845, p < 0.001), and SE on JP (β = 0.324, p < 0.001). Crucially, the indirect effect of JS on JP through SE was also significant and substantial (β = 0.729, p < 0.001), confirming partial mediation. The model explains 86% (R² = 0.860) of the variance in JP and 71.4% (R² = 0.714) in SE. This study makes a significant theoretical contribution by integrating Social Exchange Theory and Social Cognitive Theory, empirically validating SE as a critical psychological conduit through which JS enhances JP. For practitioners in Libya's vital oil sector, the findings underscore the necessity of moving beyond transactional satisfaction (e.g., salaries) to foster intrinsic psychological states like self-efficacy through empowerment, recognition, and skill-development programs to unlock superior performance in a post-conflict environment.
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