In healthcare settings, productivity is not just about how much work is completed, but also about the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of patient care. Understanding what truly drives productivity is essential for hospital management aiming to improve service outcomes.
Background: Productivity Challenges in Healthcare Services
Hospitals operate under constant pressure to deliver fast, accurate, and high-quality care. However, internal data from Stella Maris Hospital indicated that service performance was still below expectations. One major issue identified was the relatively low level of employee competence, influenced by limited training, insufficient experience utilization, and gaps in job understanding.
Traditionally, work experience has been seen as a primary driver of productivity. However, this study challenges that assumption by demonstrating that experience alone does not automatically lead to better performance without the support of strong competencies.
Methodology: Survey of 92 Employees
The study applied a quantitative approach using survey methods. Questionnaires were distributed to employees between May and July 2023.
Out of a total population of 112 employees, 92 were selected as research respondents. The data were analyzed using path analysis to examine both direct and indirect relationships between work experience, work competence, and employee productivity.
Key Findings: Competence Has a Stronger Impact Than Experience
The research reveals several important findings:
- Work experience does not have a significant direct effect on productivity: Its contribution is minimal, with a determination coefficient of less than 1%.
- Work competence has a direct and significant impact on productivity: Employees with higher competence levels consistently show higher productivity.
- Work experience significantly influences productivity when mediated by competence: Experience becomes meaningful only when transformed into skills and capabilities.
- Indirect effects are much stronger than direct effects: The indirect impact of work experience on productivity reaches 0.622, compared to a direct effect of only 0.031.
- Work experience and competence together significantly affect productivity.
These findings emphasize that experience alone is merely a foundation. Without competency development—such as skills, knowledge, and professional attitudes—experience does not automatically translate into higher productivity.
Research Insight: Competence as the Critical Bridge
Ferima Laia explains that competence serves as the bridge connecting experience to productivity. “Work experience will only have a meaningful impact when accompanied by improved skills and understanding of job responsibilities,” she notes in the study.
This aligns with human resource management theories that define competence as a combination of knowledge, skills, and work attitudes necessary for optimal performance.
Implications: A Strategic Shift for Hospital Management
The findings carry important implications, especially for healthcare institutions and service-based organizations.
For hospitals:
- Hiring experienced staff is not enough
- Continuous training and competency development are essential
- Job placement should align with individual capabilities
For the broader workforce:
- Experience must be converted into practical skills
- Lifelong learning is key to maintaining productivity
- Soft skills such as confidence, self-control, and commitment matter
For HR policy:
- Training programs should focus on real competency development
- Performance evaluation should consider actual skills, not just tenure
The study also recommends that organizations provide training in areas such as self-management, motivation, and personal development to strengthen employee competence and confidence.
Broader Relevance Beyond Healthcare
Although conducted in a hospital setting, these findings are relevant across industries, including education, manufacturing, and public services. In today’s competitive environment, organizations need employees who are not only experienced but also competent and adaptable.
In other words, experience without continuous learning quickly loses its value.
Author Profiles
- Ferima Laia – Lead researcher, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Harapan Medan; specializes in human resource management.
- Ade Indah Sari – Lecturer and researcher in human resource management, Universitas Harapan Medan.
- Arasy Ayu Setiamy – Academic in economics and business, Universitas Harapan Medan.
Their research focuses on employee performance, productivity, and strategic human resource management in modern organizations.
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