Return : Study of Management, Economic and Bussines
Vol. 5 No. 6 (2026): Return: Study of Management, Economic and Business

The Effect of Ethical Leadership and Work-Life Balance on Job Commitment, with Psychological Empowerment as a Mediating Variable, at Perumda Air Minum Tirta Tohlangkir in Karangasem Regency

Kadek Rara Ragita Cahyani (Universitas Mahasaraswati Denpasar)
I Ketut Setia Sapta (Universitas Mahasaraswati Denpasar)
I Nengah Suardhika (Universitas Mahasaraswati Denpasar)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Jun 2026

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the influence of ethical leadership and work-life balance on work engagement with psychological empowerment as a mediating variable at Perumda Air Minum Tirta Tohlangkir, Karangasem Regency. The background of this research is based on public service challenges and integrity issues that demand the strengthening of human resources through ethical leadership and work-life balance to increase employee dedication. This study used a quantitative explanatory approach. The population in this study were all employees of Perumda Air Minum Tirta Tohlangkir, Karangasem Regency, totaling 127 people. The sampling technique used was the saturated sampling method (census). Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling techniques based on Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS 4.1 software. The results showed that: Ethical leadership has a positive and significant effect on psychological empowerment; Work-life balance has a positive and significant effect on psychological empowerment;  Psychological empowerment has a positive and significant effect on work engagement; Ethical leadership has a positive and significant effect on work engagement; Work-life balance has a positive and significant effect on work engagement; Psychological empowerment is able to partially mediate the influence of ethical leadership on work engagement; and Psychological empowerment is able to partially mediate the influence of work-life balance on work engagement. These findings confirm that to increase employee work engagement in the public service sector, organizations need to strengthen leadership integrity, support employee life balance, and build autonomy and work meaningfulness through psychological empowerment.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

return

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

The Journal RETURN is a double blind peer-reviewed academic journal and open access to social and scientific fields. The journal is published monthly by PT. Publikasiku Academic Solution. The Jurnal RETURN provides a means for sustained discussion of relevant issues that fall within the focus and ...