The Impact of the Work Environment and Work Motivation on the Performance of Generation Z Workers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61987/bamj.v4i2.2408Keywords:
Work Environment, Work Motivation , Employee Performance, Generation ZAbstract
This study examines the effects of the work environment and work motivation on the performance of Generation Z employees in Medan, Indonesia, addressing the limited empirical evidence on the determinants of performance among this emerging workforce. A quantitative associative design was employed using purposive sampling, involving 110 Generation Z employees. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using validity and reliability tests, classical assumption tests, multiple linear regression, t-tests, F-tests, and the coefficient of determination (R²) with SPSS Version 25. The results show that both the work environment and work motivation have positive and significant effects on employee performance. The work environment emerged as the stronger predictor, indicating that a supportive, comfortable, and collaborative workplace is particularly important for enhancing Generation Z employees’ performance. Work motivation also significantly contributes to performance by strengthening employee engagement and commitment to organizational goals. Collectively, the two variables explain 45.2% of the variance in employee performance. These findings highlight the importance of integrating supportive workplace conditions with effective motivational practices and provide empirical implications for human resource management strategies to optimize Generation Z employees' performance.
References
Aggarwal, A., Sharma, D., Vohra, P., Sharma, S., & Sharma, V. (2023). Work Environment and Job Satisfaction Among Employees. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 11(1), 1247–1254. https://doi.org/10.25215/1101.126
Alshemmari, J. M. H. J. (2023). An Empirical Study on Employee Empowerment Role in Increasing Efficiency of Employee Performance. Journal of Logistics, Informatics and Service Science, 10(1), 52–71.
Barhate, B., & Dirani, K. M. (2022). Career Aspirations of Generation Z: A Systematic Literature Review. European Journal of Training and Development, 46(1), 139–157.
Bouncken, R. B., Czakon, W., & Schmitt, F. (2026). Purposeful Sampling and Saturation in Qualitative Research Methodologies: Recommendations and Review. Review of Managerial Science, 20(2), 579–615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-025-00881-2
BPS Kota Medan. (2026). Statistik Ketenagakerjaan Kota Medan 2025.
Chaiyapruksayanonde, C., & Ponchaitiwat, K. (2025). Supportive Work Environments, Innovative Work Behavior, and Job Performance in the Hospitality Industry: Empirical Evidence from Thailand. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6010020
G, S. N., Aryanti, A. N., Dayona, G., Sofiati, N. A., & Muttaqin, R. (2026). The Role of Employee Commitment in Mediating the Influence of Transformational Leadership, Work Environment and Work Motivation on the Performance of Generation Z Human Resources. Journal of Public Representative and Society Provision, 6(1), 39–58. https://doi.org/10.55885/JPRSP.V6I1.829
Gerung, C. J., & Dotulong, L. O. H. (2022). Comparative Analysis of the Performance of Civil Servants and THL at the Minahasa Regency Education Office. Jurnal EMBA, 10(2), 418–428.
Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to Use and How to Report the Results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203
Hakim, M. M. (2024). Work-Life Balance, Take Home Pay and Workplace Environment: Which One Has the Most Influence toward Employee Performance on Gen Z? JSHP: Jurnal Sosial Humaniora dan Pendidikan, 8(1), 86–102. https://doi.org/10.32487/JSHP.V8I1.1810
Hendratmoko, & Mutiarawati, E. V. (2023). The Significant Impact of Workplace Environment on Gen Z Performance in Indonesia. Jurnal Manajemen, 13(1), 28–41. https://doi.org/10.46806/JM.V13I1.1096
Ichdan, D. A. (2024). Analysis of Employee Performance Through Productivity: The Role of Kaizen Culture, Motivation, and Work Discipline in the Manufacturing Industry. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 4(1), 13–28. https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v4i1.2158
Jakpat. (2022). Alasan yang Membuat Gen Z Resign dari Tempat Kerja. Jakpat.net.
Karindra, D. A., & Darto, D. (2025). The Influence of Motivation and Work Environment on the Performance of Generation Z Employees in South Jakarta. Indonesian Interdisciplinary Journal of Sharia Economics (IIJSE), 8(2), 7422–7441. https://doi.org/10.31538/IIJSE.V8I2.7134
Kelani, S., & Dwianto, A. S. (2026). The Influence of Workload, Motivation, and Work Environment on Generation Z Employee Productivity in Cikarang. Ilomata International Journal of Management, 7(2), 701–711. https://doi.org/10.61194/IJJM.V7I2.2107
Kupperschmidt, B. R. (2000). Multigeneration Employees: Strategies for Effective Management. The Health Care Manager, 19(1), 65–76. https://doi.org/10.1097/00126450-200019010-00011
Kusumaningrum, R., M, R. D., Mulyasari, S., & Prasetya, A. B. (2025). Understanding Gen Z at Work: The Impact of Harmonious Passion, Work Environment, and Role Clarity on Job Performance Through Job Satisfaction in Indonesia’s State-Owned Construction Sector. Eduvest: Journal of Universal Studies, 5(9), 10547–10563. https://doi.org/10.59188/EDUVEST.V5I9.51128
Malik, S., Solong, A., Djaya, S., & Sucipto, K. (2025). The Influence of Discipline and Work Motivation on Employee Productivity Improvement. Journal of Indonesian Scholars for Social Research, 5(1), 121–128. https://doi.org/10.59065/jissr.v5i1.180
Malt, J., & Nasution, Y. (2025). The Influence of Workplace Environment and Work Motivation on Job Performance: The Mediating Role of Employee Commitment Among Generation Z Workers. Journal of Applied Business Administration, 9(2), 357–367. https://doi.org/10.30871/JABA.9558
Niken, A., Putri, S., & Desiana, P. M. (2025). Job Satisfaction as a Mediator of Leadership, Motivation, Compensation, and Work Environment on Gen Z Employee Performance in Jakarta. Indonesian Interdisciplinary Journal of Sharia Economics (IIJSE), 8(3), 9217–9237. https://doi.org/10.31538/IIJSE.V8I3.7354
Nugroho, Y. A., Yanti, B. E. D., & Haryanto, F. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review on Workplace Expectations and Behavioral Characteristics of Generation Z Employees. Psikostudia: Jurnal Psikologi, 14(3), 367–375. https://doi.org/10.30872/PSIKOSTUDIA.V14I3.19486
Putra, R. H., & Dewi, A. S. (2025). Generation Z and the Reality of Employment in Indonesia: A Problematic Portrait of the Youngest Workforce. Priviet Social Sciences Journal, 5(12), 352–360. https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v5i12.781
Putri, A. N. S., & Desiana, P. M. (2025). Job Satisfaction as a Mediator of Leadership, Motivation, Compensation, and Work Environment on Gen Z Employee Performance in Jakarta. Indonesian Interdisciplinary Journal of Sharia Economics (IIJSE), 8(3), 9217–9237.
Rampen, D. C., Pangemanan, A. S., & Mandagi, D. W. (2023). The X-Factors Behind Gen Z Employee Performance: A Systematic Review. Jurnal Mantik, 7(2), 669–680.
Rasool, S. F., Mohelska, H., Rehman, F. U., Raza, H., & Asghar, M. Z. (2025). Exploring the Nexus Between a Supportive Workplace Environment, Employee Engagement, and Employee Performance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Administrative Sciences, 15(6), 230. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15060230
Rensiana, S., Wulandari, J., & Roni, M. (2024). Analysis of Job Characteristics, Performance, and Work-Life Balance in Generation Z Workers. Indonesian Journal of Economics and Management, 5(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.35313/ijem.v5i1.6406
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: Definitions, Theory, Practices, and Future Directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, 101860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860
Sagita, P., Soetjipto, E. B., & Churiyah, M. (2026). Systematic Literature Review (SLR) Based on PRISMA Analysis: The Effect of Work Motivation and Work Discipline on Employee Performance in Generation Z Through Job Satisfaction Mediation. Jurnal Economina, 5(5), 1781–1798. https://doi.org/10.55681/ECONOMINA.V5I5.2388
Suryawirawan, O. A., Suhermin, Rahayu, R., & Zahro, M. (2025). What Drives Generation Z at Work? A Systematic Literature Review of Motivational Antecedents and Future Agenda for Indonesian Research. Asian Journal of Management Entrepreneurship and Social Science, 5(3), 804–813. https://ajmesc.com/index.php/ajmesc
Wei, J., & Yazid, Z. (2026). Factors Influencing the Retention of Generation Z: A Systematic Review. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 9(9), 2026444. https://doi.org/10.31893/MULTIREV.2026444
Zahra, Y., Handoyo, S., & Fajrianthi, F. (2025). A Comprehensive Overview of Generation Z in the Workplace: Insights from a Scoping Review. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 51, 2263. https://doi.org/10.4102/SAJIP.V51I0.2263
Zivkovic, A., Adamek, A., & Brkić, A. (2025). Generation Z and the Future of Work: Expectations of a Healthy Workplace. Proceedings of the International Academic Conference on Management and Economics, 3(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.33422/conferenceme.v3i1.1297
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Yuni Syahputri, Khairunnisak Khairunnisak, Dahrul Siregar Dahrul Siregar, Louis Leonardo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
