Advances in Human Resource Management Research
Vol. 4 No. 3 (2026)

Local Wisdom-Based Human Resource Competence and Employee Performance: Service Quality Mediation and Digital Literacy Moderation in Alor Tourism

Rahmat Laan (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kupang, Kupang, Indonesia)
Lusia Adinda Dua Nurak (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kupang, Kupang, Indonesia)
Siti Nurhayati (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kupang, Kupang, Indonesia)
Hanifah Djakaria (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kupang, Kupang, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
22 Aug 2026

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines whether local wisdom-based human resource (HR) competence enhances employee performance in tourism services in Alor Regency, while investigating the mediating role of service quality and the moderating role of digital literacy. Research Method: Data were collected through a structured survey of 129 employees working in tourism service businesses in Alor Regency. The hypothesized relationships were tested using path analysis with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS 4.0. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that local wisdom-based HR competence has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. Service quality significantly mediates this relationship, suggesting that culturally grounded competencies translate into superior employee performance partly through enhanced service delivery. Digital literacy significantly moderates both the relationship between local wisdom-based HR competence and employee performance and the relationship between competence and service quality, indicating that digital capabilities amplify the value of culturally embedded competencies. Implications: Tourism organizations should integrate local cultural values with digital capability development to strengthen employee performance and service quality. Originality: This study integrates indigenous/local wisdom, service quality, and digital literacy into a unified HR-performance framework, providing empirical evidence from the under-researched tourism context of Alor, Indonesia.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

AHRMR

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

Founded in 2023, Advances in Human Resource Management Research publishes original research that promises to advance our understanding of Human Resource Management over diverse topics and research methods. This Journal welcomes research of significance across a wide range of primary and applied ...