Journal of Management and Digital Business
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Management and Digital Business

Unpacking the work-life balance-performance link: Engangement and job satisfaction as mediators

Markha, Naila Hidayatul (Unknown)
Fuad, Eko Nur (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
12 Feb 2026

Abstract

This study examines the effect of work-life balance on employee performance, with employee engagement and job satisfaction tested as parallel mediators. Using a quantitative design, we surveyed 115 production employees at a garment manufacturing company in Jepara, Indonesia, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results show that work-life balance does not have a significant direct effect on employee performance. However, work-life balance has a positive and significant effect on both employee engagement and job satisfaction, and each mediator, in turn, has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. These findings confirm full mediation in a parallel model, with the employee engagement pathway (cognitive motivational) stronger than the job satisfaction pathway. Practically, organizations should prioritize work-life balance policies that foster engagement to improve performance. This study is limited by its cross-sectional design and focus on a single manufacturing industry, which may constrain the generalizability of the results.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jmdb

Publisher

Subject

Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

Journal of Management and Digital Business [2797-9555]contains articles based on conceptual studies and research results in the field of management and business, including organizational behavior, leadership, human resources management, innovation, it, operations and supply chain management, ...