The Role of Work Motivation in Mediating the Effect Of Competence on Promotion at the National Narcotics Agency North Sumatra Province

Abstract

Promotion is an important indicator in human resource management that reflects the organization's recognition of employee competence and contribution. This study aims to analyze the role of work motivation as a mediator in the relationship between competence and job promotion among employees of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) in North Sumatra Province. This study used a quantitative research design with a survey approach. The study population consisted of 84 permanent employees of the BNN in North Sumatra Province, who were selected as the study sample. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares (PLS). The results showed that competence had a positive and significant effect on work motivation (t = 4.623; p < 0.05) and job promotion (t = 3.656; p < 0.05). Work motivation also has a positive and significant effect on promotion (t = 8.026; p < 0.05) and is proven to mediate the effect of competence on promotion (t = 3.835; p < 0.05). These findings confirm that improving employee competence can encourage higher work motivation, thereby increasing the chances of promotion. The practical implication of this study is that the North Sumatra Provincial Narcotics Agency needs to strengthen employee competence and work motivation through training, rewards, leadership support, and the establishment of clear authority and responsibilities for promoted employees. This study contributes theoretically to the development of human resource management in government organizations.