The Impact of Human Resource Management and Member Motivation on Member Engagement in the Jakmania Cirebon

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FORMOSA NEWS - Cirebon - Motivation Drives Member Engagement in Jakmania Cirebon More Than Organizational Management. A 2026 study by Muhammad Rizky, Dharliana Hardjowikarto, and Juwita from Swadaya Gunung Jati University reveals that member motivation not organizational management plays the most decisive role in driving engagement within The Jakmania Cirebon supporter community. Conducted between November and December 2025 and published in the Asian Journal of Management Analytics, the research highlights how emotional attachment and internal drive outweigh formal structures in sustaining participation in volunteer-based communities. The findings matter as communities, fan groups, and grassroots organizations increasingly rely on active member participation to survive and grow. Understanding what truly motivates individuals to stay engaged can help leaders design more effective strategies, especially in informal or passion-driven groups.

Community Context: Loyalty Beyond Structure

The Jakmania Cirebon is a regional supporter group of Persija Jakarta, one of Indonesia’s largest football clubs. Founded in 2009, the community has grown into an organized network with around 130 active members. Despite having a structured system with defined roles and activities, the group operates largely on voluntary participation and shared enthusiasm. In many organizations, human resource management such as clear task division, leadership structure, and training is considered essential to improving performance. However, in communities like Jakmania Cirebon, where members are not financially compensated, emotional and social factors may play a more dominant role.

Simple Survey, Clear Insights

The study used a quantitative survey approach involving 100 active members of The Jakmania Cirebon. Participants were selected based on their membership status and level of participation in community activities. Data was collected through questionnaires using a four-point rating scale. Respondents evaluated three main aspects:

• Human resource management (organizational structure, task distribution, member development).
• Member motivation (love for the club, sense of belonging, emotional satisfaction).
• Member engagement (participation, commitment, responsibility in activities).

The responses were analyzed using a statistical modeling technique to examine how strongly each factor influenced member engagement.

Key Findings: Motivation Leads, Structure Lags

The results show a clear contrast between the impact of motivation and organizational management:

• Member motivation has a strong and significant positive effect on engagement.
• Human resource management does not significantly influence engagement.

Motivation emerged as the dominant factor, with a strong statistical relationship indicating that higher motivation leads to greater participation and commitment. Meanwhile, formal management practices such as structured roles and coordination did not significantly increase member involvement. The study also found that the overall model explains 74.8% of the variation in member engagement, indicating that the factors examined provide a strong understanding of participation behavior within the community.

Real-World Implications

The findings offer practical insights for community leaders, sports organizations, and even businesses managing volunteer networks or customer communities.

• Focus on emotional engagement. Programs should prioritize activities that strengthen bonds among members, such as social gatherings, group discussions, and shared experiences.
• Build a sense of identity and belonging. Highlighting community values, symbols, and shared goals can reinforce emotional attachment.
• Use flexible and inclusive management styles. Instead of rigid structures, communities benefit from participatory approaches that encourage open communication and collaboration.
• Recognize contributions in meaningful ways. Non-material recognition such as appreciation, visibility, and acknowledgment can be more effective than formal rewards.
• Expand participation opportunities. Ensuring that both new and long-time members can contribute equally helps sustain long-term engagement.

These insights are particularly relevant for organizations operating in the digital era, where communities both online and offline play a crucial role in shaping brand loyalty, social movements, and cultural identity

Author Profiles

Muhammad Rizky – Researcher in organizational management and community engagement, Swadaya Gunung Jati University.

Dharliana Hardjowikarto – Lecturer and researcher specializing in organizational behavior and management, Swadaya Gunung Jati University.

Juwita – Academic researcher in human resource management and group dynamics, Swadaya Gunung Jati University.

Source
Muhammad Rizky, Dharliana Hardjowikarto, Juwita (2026). The Impact of Human Resource Management and Member Motivation on Member Engagement in the Jakmania Cirebon. AAsian Journal of Management Analytics (AJMA), Vol. 5 No. 2, hlm. 281-294.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ajma.v5i2.16451
URL: https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/ajma