The Role of Job Satisfaction in Mediating the Effect of Transformational Leadership in Organizational Commitment in the National Narcotics Agency of North Sumatra

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of job satisfaction in mediating the influence of transformational leadership on organizational commitment at the North Sumatra Provincial National Narcotics Agency. Transformational leadership is considered capable of motivating and empowering employees through inspiration, support, and guidance, which has an impact on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. This study uses a quantitative approach with a population of all 84 permanent employees of the North Sumatra Provincial Narcotics Agency, consisting of civil servants, PPPK, and honorary staff. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) with SmartPLS 3.0. The results show that transformational leadership has a positive but insignificant effect on organizational commitment (t-statistic = 1.275; p = 0.203), while its effect on job satisfaction is proven to be positive and significant (t-statistic = 5.172; p < 0.05). Furthermore, job satisfaction had a positive and significant effect on organizational commitment (t-statistic = 8.536; p < 0.05). Mediation analysis shows that job satisfaction significantly mediates the effect of transformational leadership on organizational commitment (t-statistic = 4.161; p < 0.05), so that job satisfaction acts as an important intervening variable. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that transformational leadership indirectly increases organizational commitment through employee job satisfaction. This study provides practical implications for the North Sumatra Provincial Narcotics Agency to improve job satisfaction through a fair reward system, clear communication of vision, and motivation and support from leaders, in order to strengthen employee attachment and loyalty to the organization.