Work Environment, Work Motivation, and Employee Performance: A Qualitative Study at the Yogyakarta Land and Spatial Planning Agency, Indonesia

Ocha Yudistira; Muhammad Bakr Muhlison

doi:10.63922/ijebir.v5i05.5742

Ocha Yudistira Department of Management, Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics University of Islam Indonesia, Indonesia
Muhammad Bakr Muhlison Department of Management, Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics University of Islam Indonesia, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63922/ijebir.v5i05.5742

Keywords: employee performance, employee perceptions, public organization, work environment, work motivation.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine employees' perceptions of the work environment, explore their experiences in responding to work motivation provided by supervisors, analyze the interaction between the work environment and work motivation on employee performance, and identify factors perceived as barriers and supporting elements in improving performance at the Regional Land and Spatial Planning Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This study employed a qualitative approach using a case study design. The research informants consisted of three employees selected purposely based on their roles and work experience. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, documentation, and field notes and analyzed using data reduction, data display, coding, theme identification, and conclusion drawing. The findings revealed that employees had varying perceptions of the work environment. Several physical aspects, including room temperature, lighting, workspace arrangement, and internet facilities, were perceived as less supportive of work comfort. Meanwhile, the social work environment generally reflected positive cooperation among employees. Work motivation was predominantly driven by intrinsic factors, such as responsibility, professionalism, commitment to public service, and career development expectations, while extrinsic motivation through appreciation and recognition from supervisors was considered insufficient. The interaction between the work environment and work motivation influenced employee performance. Barriers included inadequate facilities, coordination problems, limited appreciation, and disciplinary issues, whereas supporting factors involved intrinsic motivation, harmonious relationships, peer support, and commitment to work. The study concludes that improving employee performance requires enhancing the work environment, strengthening work motivation, and ensuring continuous organizational support.

References

Aeni, N., & Kuswanto, H. G. (2021). The Influence of Leadership Style, Motivation and Work Discipline on Employee Performance. International Journal of Management Science and Information Technology, 1(2), 20–24. https://doi.org/10.35870/ijmsit.v1i2.352
Aguinis, H. (2023). Performance Management Fifth Edition. Chicago Business Press.
Basalamah, M. S. A., & As’ad, A. (2021). The Role of Work Motivation and Work Environment in Improving Job Satisfaction. Golden Ratio of Human Resource Management, 1(2), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.52970/grhrm.v1i2.54
Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2019). Social Research Methods. Oxford Univesity Press.
Chen, B., Wang, L., Li, B., & Liu, W. (2022). Work stress, mental health, and employee performance. Frontiers in Psychology.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Dewa, A. L. (2021). The Influence of Work Motivation, Job Rotation and Career Development on Employee Performance. Research Horizon, 1(6), 271–278.
Donley, J. (2021). The Impact of Work Environment on Job Satisfaction. Nurse Leader, 19(6), 585–589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2021.08.009
Gultom, L. M., & Marpaung, N. (2022). ANALISIS WORK MOTIVATION DAN WORK ENVIRONMENT TERHADAP EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE (STUDI PADA PKS AEK TOROP DI LABUHANBATU SELATAN).
JOSR: Journal of Social Research, 1(10), 1199–1209. http://https://ijsr.internationaljournallabs.com/index.php/ijsrhttp://ijsr.internat ionaljournallabs.com/index.php/ijsr
Hajiali, I., Fara Kessi, A. M., Budiandriani, B., Prihatin, E., Sufri, M. M., & Sudirman, A. (2022). Determination of Work Motivation, Leadership Style, Employee Competence on Job Satisfaction and Employee Performance. Golden Ratio of Human Resource Management, 2(1), 57–69. https://doi.org/10.52970/grhrm.v2i1.160
Herni, Y., Karlina, D., & Hernawati, S. P. (2025). THE IMPACT OF WORK ENVIRONMENT AND WORK MOTIVATION ON EMPLOYEE
PERFORMANCE AT CV MAJU KARSA BERSAMA. International Journal Multidiciplinary Science, 4(1), 119–109. https://doi.org/10.56127/ijm
Hidayat, I., Peristiowati, Y., & Wardani, R. (2025). Leadership and work motivation on employee performance of panasea medika madiun clinic. IAHSJ, 2. https://doi.org/10.1234/dtea9987
Kohnen, D., De Witte, H., Schaufeli, W. B., Dello, S., Bruyneel, L., & Sermeus,
W. (2024). Engaging leadership and nurse well-being: the role of the work environment and work motivation a cross-sectional study. Human Resources for Health, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-023-00886-6
Latham, G. P. (2012). Work Motivation History, Theory, Research, and Practice.
Sage Publication.
Layek, D., & Koodamara, N. K. (2024). Motivation, work experience, and teacher performance: A comparative study. Acta Psychologica, 245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104217
Liang, X., & Li, J. (2025). Sustainable human resource management and employee performance: A conceptual framework and research agenda. Human Resource Management Review, 35(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2024.101060
Maryani, Y., Entang, M., & Tukiran, M. (2021). The Relationship between Work Motivation, Work Discipline and Employee Performance at the Regional Secretariat of Bogor City. International Journal of Social and Management Studies (IJOSMAS), 2(2). https://www.ijosmas.org
Rachman, M. M. (2021). The Impact of Work Stress and the Work Environment in the Organization: How Job Satisfaction Affects Employee Performance? Journal of Human Resource and Sustainability Studies, 09(02), 339–354. https://doi.org/10.4236/jhrss.2021.92021
Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational Behavior Eighteenth Edition Global Edition. Pearson.
Tegegne, E., Deml, Y. A., Yirdaw, G., & Bewket, Y. (2024). Work motivation and factors associated with it among health professionals in Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Scientific Reports, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52409-5
Vo, T. T. D., Tuliao, K. V., & Chen, C. W. (2022). Work Motivation: The Roles of Individual Needs and Social Conditions. Behavioral Sciences, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12020049
Vuong, T. D. N., & Nguyen, L. T. (2022). The Key Strategies for Measuring Employee Performance in Companies: A Systematic Review. Sustainability, 14(21), 14017. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114017
Yulianti, R. F., Ruswaji, & Ayu Novitasari, D. (2025). The Influence of Motivation, Work Environment and Work Discipline on Employee Performance Productivity in Takoyaki Business in Lamongan. NICEBIS : National Innovation Conference on Economics and Business, I. https://proceeding.kreatiftechinnovations.id/nicebis