Human Capital and Organizations
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): OCTOBER 2026

Beyond Pay: How Compensation and Work Motivation Shape Employee Performance in an Indonesian Distribution Center

Yuaniko Paramitra (Faculty of Economics, Management Study Program, Krisnadwipayana University, Jakarta)
Amanda Deswita Safitri (Faculty of Economics, Management Study Program, Krisnadwipayana University, Jakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Oct 2026

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between compensation, work motivation, and employee performance at PT Tirta Investama Distribution Center Jatiasih. It addresses concerns about declining employee performance classifications and growing development needs. Drawing on Equity Theory and Self-Determination Theory, the study considers organizational rewards and employee motivation in a distribution-center setting. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 64 purposively selected employees from a population of 104. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using multiple linear regression. Compensation and work motivation were each positively associated with performance and jointly helped explain differences in performance within the sample. These findings support considering financial and non-financial rewards alongside motivational conditions in human resource management. The results do not establish causality, and questionnaire findings should be distinguished from historical company performance assessments. Declining performance classifications suggest that compensation and motivation may not fully explain operational outcomes, which may also reflect competencies, training, workload, supervision, and working conditions. The study recommends reviewing compensation fairness and transparency while strengthening employee development, recognition, and supervisory support. Its single-site, purposive, cross-sectional design limits generalizability; future research could use longitudinal methods and objective performance data.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

hco

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

The Human Capital and Organizations HCO journal publishes peer-reviewed, open-access, theoretical, and empirical research articles on major human resources management HRM, leadership, talent, and organizational topics. The Journal of HCO mission is to offer a forum for the growing amount of ...