Job satisfaction as a mediator between work ethic, productivity, and farmer performance: a pls-sem study on patchouli cultivation

Lentera Negeri October 14, 2026 Volume 7, Number 1 4 authors

Abstract

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) is a strategically important smallholder commodity in Indonesia, which contributes approximately 90% of global patchouli oil production. However, farmer performance in Tompasobaru Satu Village, South Minahasa Regency, remains inconsistent despite relatively high productivity and work ethic, indicating that technical capacity alone may not explain performance outcomes. Grounded in the Porter–Lawler performance–satisfaction model, this study examines job satisfaction as a mediating mechanism linking work ethic and productivity to patchouli farmer performance. A quantitative explanatory design was employed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. Data were collected through a census of 150 active patchouli farmers using a 32-item, five-point Likert-scale questionnaire adapted from established instruments and pilot-tested on 30 respondents. The measurement model generally met the recommended reliability and validity criteria, although the average variance extracted (AVE) for job satisfaction was marginally below the recommended threshold (0.484). Harman’s single-factor test indicated no dominant common method factor (28.3%). Bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples revealed that work ethic (β = 0.225) and productivity (β = 0.435) were positively associated with job satisfaction, which explained 36.6% of its variance. The structural model explained 55.8% of the variance in farmer performance. Job satisfaction partially and complementarily mediated the relationships between productivity and performance (indirect β = 0.125, p < 0.001) and between work ethic and performance (indirect β = 0.065, p = 0.031). Productivity had the strongest total effect on performance (β = 0.446). This study extends the application of performance–satisfaction theory to self-employed smallholder farmers by conceptualising job satisfaction as a transmission mechanism rather than a moderating factor. The findings highlight the importance of integrating productivity-enhancing interventions with strategies that strengthen farmers’ job satisfaction and psychological well-being to support sustainable performance.

Authors

  1. Lucky O. H. Dotulong

    Universitas Sam Ratulangi

  2. Irvan Trang

    Universitas Sam Ratulangi

  3. Jessy J. Pondaag

    Universitas Sam Ratulangi

  4. Stralen Pratasik

    Manado State University

Keywords

Farmer performanceJob satisfactionProductivityWork ethicPLS-SEMMediationSmallholder agribusinessPatchouli

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