Journal of Educational Management Research
Vol. 5 No. 5 (2026)

The Impact of Ethical Leadership and Compensation on Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction

Yohana Gloria (Universitas Tanjungpura, Indonesia)
Juniwati (Universitas Tanjungpura, Indonesia)
Pramana Saputra (Universitas Tanjungpura, Indonesia)
Ilzar Daud (Universitas Tanjungpura, Indonesia)
Hasanudin (Universitas Tanjungpura, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Oct 2026

Abstract

The palm oil industry plays a significant role in the national economy. However, human resource management in this sector continues to face challenges, particularly employee turnover intention, which can affect organizational stability and performance. Ethical leadership, compensation, and job satisfaction are important factors that may influence employees’ intentions to leave an organization. This study aims to examine the effects of ethical leadership and compensation on turnover intention, with job satisfaction serving as a mediating variable. This study employed a quantitative research design involving 235 respondents selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS software. The findings indicate that ethical leadership and compensation have significant positive effects on job satisfaction. Ethical leadership does not significantly affect turnover intention, whereas compensation and job satisfaction significantly reduce turnover intention. Furthermore, job satisfaction mediates the relationships between ethical leadership and turnover intention, as well as between compensation and turnover intention. These findings suggest that organizations should strengthen ethical leadership practices, establish fair and competitive compensation systems, and improve job satisfaction to reduce employees’ intentions to leave and support workforce retention.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jemr

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Educational Management Research is an international peer-reviewed journal which publishes original and significant contributions to educational management, administration, and leadership, in its broadest sense, from all over the world. This includes primary research projects in schools ...