Abstract

Purpose: In this article, we examined the mediating effect of employees’ intrinsic motivation (IM) on the relationship between Islamic work ethics (IWE) and job performance (JP) in the higher education sector of Pakistan. A correlational research design was employed to undertake this cross-sectional study. Methodology: This study was conducted using a simple random sampling technique. Findings: The results of the study reveal a strong positive association between IWE and JP (r=0.62, plt;0.01) and moderately positive relationships between IWE and IM (r =0.39, plt;0.01), and IM and JP (r= 0.37, plt;0.01). Further, the study also reveals that Intrinsic Motivation fully mediates the impact of IWE on job performance. The study also revealed Islamic Work Ethics explains 80.3 percent variations (R 2 =0.803, plt;0.05) in job performance while IWE explains 41.9 percent variations (R 2 =0.419, plt;0.05) in intrinsic motivation (IM). Significance: The results of this study show that there is a strong positive significant association between Islamic work ethics and job performance. Moreover, intrinsic motivation has also mediated the relationship between IWE and JP. Research Limitations/Implications: The most important and beneficial contribution and addition to the current research is the introduction of intrinsic motivation as a mediating component, which has not been explored extensively in prior studies. Employee performance can be noticed when Islamic work concepts have a positive impact on IM. Practical and Social Implications: This study confirms previous findings while also adding new information and a new perspective to the existing body of knowledge. Intrinsic motivation is revealed to be important in regulating the relationship between IWE and JP. KAUJIE Classification: H13 , K1, K10, L32, L41, L42 JEL Classification: G23, O16

Keywords

Islamic Work Ethics (IWE), Job Performance (JP), Intrinsic Motivation (IM), Self-Determination Theory