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Analyzing the influence of leadership, learning, and empowerment on public sector performance: Combining PLS-SEM with SVM and k-NN approach

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines how strategic leadership, organizational learning, and employee empowerment interact to enhance public sector performance, highlighting their indirect effects through organizational commitment and job satisfaction. The novelty of this research lies in combining causal analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with predictive validation through machine learning techniques—Support Vector Machine (SVM) and k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN)—a methodological integration rarely applied in public sector performance studies. Data were collected from 281 government officials in Banten Province, Indonesia, using a structured survey. The results show that strategic leadership significantly increases organizational commitment but has no direct effect on job satisfaction. Organizational learning enhances commitment but not performance directly, while employee empowerment positively influences performance. Workplace culture and incentive systems further shape performance outcomes. These findings contribute to organizational behavior literature by clarifying the complex mediating mechanisms between leadership, learning, empowerment, and performance, while also demonstrating the added value of integrating SEM with machine learning. For practice, the study underscores the need to reinforce leadership capacity, foster learning-oriented cultures, and expand empowerment initiatives to optimize public sector performance.

Source: Social Sciences & Humanities Open

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102086

Authors: Sabferrial Fernando Imam, Setyo Riyanto, Sugeng Santoso, Yanto Ramli

Institution: Mercu Buana University

Language: English

Topic: Employee Performance and Management

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,180