<![CDATA[Purpose: This study examines the influence of management transparency, achievement recognition, and development opportunities on the job satisfaction of MSME employees in Surabaya, with psychological empowerment as a mediating variable. Methodology: A quantitative explanatory approach was employed using an online survey of 100 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) owners and managers in Surabaya, selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using SEM-PLS with SmartPLS software. Results: Development opportunities significantly affect job satisfaction, both directly and indirectly, through psychological empowerment. Psychological empowerment also has a significant and positive effect on job satisfaction. Management transparency influences job satisfaction indirectly through psychological empowerment, while achievement recognition has no significant direct or indirect effect. Conclusions: Psychological empowerment is an important mechanism linking management practices to job satisfaction. Development opportunities emerged as the strongest factor in enhancing employee satisfaction within MSMEs. Limitations: The cross-sectional design limits the observation of changes over time, and the findings are restricted to the context of Surabaya. Contributions: This study extends the application of Psychological Empowerment Theory and Maslow Hierarchy of Needs in the MSME setting and provides practical insights for improving employee satisfaction through empowerment-oriented management practices. Novelty: This study highlights psychological empowerment as a mediator between key managerial factors and job satisfaction in Indonesian MSMEs.]]>
