Achievement Motivation Emerges as Key Driver of Employee Performance at PT Walesta

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FORMOSA NEWS

Employee performance at PT Walesta is primarily driven by achievement motivation, according to a 2026 study by Muhammad Agil Al Djufrie, Sri Mintari, and Dirga Lestari from the Master of Management Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, Mulawarman University. The findings highlight the critical role of internal drive in improving performance amid declining company production.

The study was prompted by real workplace conditions, including routine workloads, low initiative, an underdeveloped reward system, and declining production tonnage affecting company revenue. These challenges underscored the need to identify which factors truly influence employee performance.

Using a quantitative survey approach, the researchers collected data from all 50 employees at PT Walesta through Likert-scale questionnaires. The data were analyzed using statistical modeling to examine both direct and indirect relationships among variables.

Key Findings

The study reveals several important insights:

• Achievement motivation has a strong and significant effect on employee performance
• The relationship shows a high coefficient of 0.853.
• Initiative does not significantly influence achievement motivation
• Work discipline does not significantly influence achievement motivation
• Understanding of job descriptions does not significantly influence achievement motivation
• Achievement motivation does not mediate the relationship between those variables and employee performance

In short, achievement motivation is the only variable proven to directly improve employee performance in this model.

Interpreting the Results

The findings suggest that routine and standardized work environments limit employees’ drive to excel. Initiative, discipline, and task understanding alone are not enough to stimulate a stronger desire for achievement.

Muhammad Agil Al Djufrie of Mulawarman University explains that achievement motivation stands out because it reflects an internal drive to deliver the best possible results. Without a supportive reward system and organizational culture, other factors fail to translate into higher motivation or performance.

Implications for Business

The study offers practical insights for companies, especially in industrial sectors:

• Relying solely on discipline and structured tasks is insufficient
• Organizations need to build a performance-oriented work culture
• Performance-based reward systems are essential
• Work environments should encourage initiative and innovation

When implemented effectively, these strategies can significantly enhance productivity and long-term organizational performance.

Author Profiles

• Muhammad Agil Al Djufrie, –  Mulawarman University
• Sri Mintari, S.E., M.M. –  Mulawarman University
• Dirga Lestari, S.E., M.M. – Mulawarman University

Source

Djufrie, M. A. A., Mintari, S., & Lestari, D. (2026). The Effect of Initiative, Work Discipline, Understanding of Job Description, and Achievement Motivation on Employee Performance at PT Walesta. International Journal of Business and Applied Economics (IJBAE), Vol. 5 No. 2, 647–666.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijbae.v5i2.8

URL: https://journalijbae.my.id/index.php/ijbae