<![CDATA[General Background: Human resource quality remains a central concern for organizations seeking sustainable performance. Specific Background: PT JMTO Ruas Krian–Gresik faces performance challenges reflected in employee attendance and work enthusiasm. Knowledge Gap: Previous studies have discussed competence, motivation, and reward, yet limited empirical evidence integrates work enthusiasm as an intervening variable in this organizational context. Aims: This study aims to analyze the relationships between competence, motivation, reward, and employee performance with work enthusiasm as an intervening variable. Results: Using a quantitative correlational design with questionnaire data from 86 employees and SPSS-based analysis, the findings show that competence, motivation, and reward are positively associated with employee performance, both partially and simultaneously. Work enthusiasm mediates the relationship between these variables and performance. Novelty: The study presents an integrated model positioning work enthusiasm as an intervening variable within a single organizational setting. Implications: The findings provide empirical insights for human resource management practices related to competence development, motivational strategies, and reward systems in improving employee performance. Keywords: Competence; Motivation; Reward; Employee Performance; Work Enthusiasm Key Findings Highlights: Competence demonstrates a strong statistical association with employee output indicators Reward shows the highest standardized coefficient among examined predictors Work enthusiasm functions as a mediating mechanism within the proposed model]]>
