Drivers of Employee Performance in Women-Owned SMEs: A Mediated-Moderated Model
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2664-3731/19461Keywords:
Work motivation, Work-family conflict, Employee engagement, Performance, Transformational leadership styleAbstract
In emerging economies like Vietnam, women-owned SMEs act as crucial drivers of economic resilience, yet they face distinct challenges in balancing work-family demands while maintaining workforce productivity. This study aims to investigate the influence of work motivation and work-family conflict on employee performance through the mediating role of employee engagement, and to test the moderating role of transformational leadership in the above relationships. A quantitative research approach was adopted, using a validated 28-item questionnaire, which was completed online by the study participants (n = 728). PLS-SEM method was used to analyse the data. The results of SEM analysis showed that motivation (both intrinsic and extrinsic) and work-family conflict affect employee engagement and performance in different directions. Transformational leadership style moderates the relationship between intrinsic motivation and work-family conflict with employee engagement in a positive direction, moderates the relationship between employee engagement and performance in a negative direction, and does not moderate the relationship between extrinsic motivation and employee engagement. The research results provide the foundation for business leaders to devise appropriate strategies for promoting employee engagement and performance.
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