THE EFFECT OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE ON LECTURERS' PERFORMANCE WITH ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT AS A MEDIATION VARIABLE

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of transformational leadership and organizational culture on lecturer performance, with organizational commitment as a mediating variable at a new private university, Universitas PGRI Mpu Sindok, Nganjuk. This university is the result of a merger of two institutions, STKIP PGRI Nganjuk and STIE Nganjuk, which was established in 2024. This merger presents unique challenges, particularly related to differences in leadership styles and organizational culture, which have implications for lecturer performance. The additional burden arising from the accreditation requirements of new study programs, as well as the mismatch between leadership practices and transformational leadership indicators, has resulted in suboptimal lecturer performance in learning, research, and community service.

This study used a quantitative approach with a survey method. The study population was all 64 permanent lecturers at Universitas PGRI Mpu Sindok, using a total sampling technique. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using the SmartPLS 4 application.

The results of the study indicate that: (1) transformational leadership has a significant negative effect on lecturer performance, but a significant positive effect on organizational commitment; (2) organizational culture has a significant positive effect on both lecturer performance and organizational commitment; (3) organizational commitment has a significant positive effect on lecturer performance; (4) organizational commitment mediates the effect of transformational leadership on lecturer performance; and (5) organizational commitment mediates the effect of organizational culture on lecturer performance.

The implications of this study are that theoretically, the research strengthens theories of leadership and organizational behavior, which emphasize the importance of organizational commitment as a mediating variable. Managerially, the results provide recommendations for new private university leaders to optimize more applicable transformational leadership and strengthen an inclusive and collaborative organizational culture.