Analysis of the Influence of Work Culture on Employee Performance at the Regent's Office in the General Section of the Regional Secretariat of Langkat Regency

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FORMOSA NEWS Medan - Work Culture Significantly Boosts Employee Performance in Langkat Government Office, Study Finds. A 2026 study by Muhammad Wahyudi, Irfan Afriza Hasibuan, Lukmanul Hakim, Mhd. Thamrin Nasution, M. Fery Jasanta Karo Karo, and Nilawati Nasti from University of Islam North Sumatra reveals that work culture plays a decisive role in improving employee performance at the Regent’s Office of Langkat Regency, Indonesia. Published in the Journal of Finance and Business Digital (JFBD), the research shows that a strong and positive work culture directly enhances how government employees perform, offering practical insights for public sector reform.

Why Work Culture Matters in Public Institutions
Government offices are expected to deliver efficient, transparent, and responsive services. However, many institutions still struggle with basic issues such as employee discipline, low initiative, and limited creativity.
In the Langkat Regency Secretariat, early observations revealed recurring problems:

• Employees arriving late or leaving early.
• Unexplained absences.
• Limited innovation in solving administrative problems.
• Weak commitment to work programs.

These challenges reflect deeper organizational issues, particularly related to shared values and daily work habits commonly referred to as work culture. Work culture includes discipline, teamwork, integrity, and a focus on results. When these values are weak, performance tends to decline. When they are strong, organizations operate more efficiently and cohesively.

How the Study Was Conducted
The research team from Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara used a quantitative survey approach to examine the relationship between work culture and employee performance.

Key elements of the methodology:

• Location: Regent’s Office, General Section, Langkat Regency Regional Secretariat.
• Participants: 70 employees (entire population included).
• Data collection: Structured questionnaires, supported by interviews and documentation.
• Analysis method: Simple linear regression to measure the influence of work culture on performance.

Employees were asked to assess both their workplace culture and their own performance across indicators such as discipline, cooperation, creativity, and productivity. This approach allowed the researchers to quantify how much work culture contributes to performance outcomes.

Key Findings: Clear and Measurable Impact
The study found a positive and statistically significant relationship between work culture and employee performance.
Main results include:

• Regression coefficient: 0.483 (indicating a positive relationship).
• t-value: 5.427 (well above the statistical threshold).
• Significance level: 0.000 (highly significant)
• Contribution of work culture: 30% of employee performance.

In practical terms, this means that improvements in work culture are consistently followed by improvements in how employees perform their duties. The remaining 70% of performance is influenced by other factors such as leadership, motivation, skills, and work environment.

Implications for Government and Public Policy
The findings have direct implications for local governments, particularly in Indonesia, where bureaucratic reform remains a national priority.

Strengthening work culture can:

• Improve employee discipline and accountability.
• Encourage innovation in public service delivery.
• Increase efficiency in administrative processes.
• Enhance public trust in government institutions.

For policymakers, the study suggests that investing in organizational culture through leadership development, training, and performance systems can yield measurable improvements in performance. For managers, the message is equally clear: fostering a culture that values results and creativity is essential for long-term success.

Author Profiles

Muhammad Wahyudi, S.E., M.M. Researcher in Human Resource Management, University of Islam North Sumatra

Irfan Afriza Hasibuan, S.E., M.M. Lecturer and researcher in Organizational Management, University of Islam North Sumatra

Lukmanul Hakim, S.E., M.M. Academic specializing in Public Sector Management, University of Islam North Sumatra

Mhd. Thamrin Nasution, S.E., M.M. Expert in Human Resource Development, University of Islam North Sumatra

M. Fery Jasanta Karo Karo, S.E., M.M. Researcher in Organizational Behavior, University of Islam North Sumatra

Nilawati Nasti, S.E., M.M. Senior Lecturer in Management and Organizational Performance, University of Islam North Sumatra

Sources
Wahyudi, M., Hasibuan, I. A., Hakim, L., Nasution, M. T., Karo Karo, M. F. J., & Nasti, N. (2026). Analysis of the Influence of Work Culture on Employee Performance at the Regent's Office in the General Section of the Regional Secretariat of Langkat Regency. Journal of Finance and Business Digital (JFBD), Vol. 5 No. 1, 135–152.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/jfbd.v5i1.16
URL: https://journaljfbd.my.id/index.php/jfbd