Main Article Content
Abstract
Human resources are those who provide the strength, expertise, creativity, and enthusiasm to manage an organization's shared assets. This is certainly a significant asset and is crucial for company management. Employees are a vital element in a company because of their significant contribution to achieving targets and business development. To achieve optimal growth, companies need employees with high skills and strong commitment. Retaining quality employees is a crucial factor in achieving organizational goals, especially amidst increasing global competition. This study aims to analyze the influence of the physical and psychological work environment on employee retention, with job satisfaction as a mediating variable. The method used is a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach based on Partial Least Squares (SmartPLS 4.0). The sample consisted of 120 permanent employees at a private university in Medan. Data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire. The results showed that the physical and psychological work environment significantly influenced job satisfaction, and job satisfaction mediated the relationship between the work environment and employee retention. Based on the SmartPLS results, it can be concluded that the research model has high validity and reliability, the relationship between variables is significant and strong, with an R² value indicating a feasible and stable model, and job satisfaction acts as a significant mediator, strengthening the influence of the work environment on employee retention. These results emphasize the importance of creating a physically comfortable and psychologically conducive work environment to increase employee loyalty.
Keywords
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
- Almashyakhi, A. M. (2024). Talent Management Practices and Employee Retention: Does It Make a Difference? Merits, 4(4), 453–462. https://doi.org/10.3390/merits4040032
- Andersen, L. P., Andersen, D. R., & Pihl-Thingvad, J. (2025). Psychosocial Climate as Antecedent for Resources to Manage Emotional Demands at Work. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010064
- Angga Kurniawan. (2023). Job Satisfaction and Employee Performance in Indonesia. SAJMR : Southeast Asian Journal of Management and Research, 1(1), 01–18. https://doi.org/10.61402/sajmr.v1i1.2
- Bodin Danielsson, C., & Theorell, T. (2024). Office Design’s Impact on Psychosocial Work Environment and Emotional Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040438
- Chompukum, P., & Vanichbuncha, T. (2025). Building a Positive Work Environment: The Role of Psychological Empowerment in Engagement and Intention to Leave. Behavioral Sciences, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020131
- Cynthia Mahalaksmi, N. K., & Made Suwandana, I. G. (2024). The Role of Job Satisfaction in Mediating the Influence of the Work Environment on Organizational Commitment. Jurnal Sosial Dan Sains, 4(3), 208–217. https://doi.org/10.59188/jurnalsosains.v4i3.1238
- Djuli, F. A., Abdussamad, Z., & Sulila, I. (2023). The Influence of Job Satisfaction on Employee Performance. Public Policy Journal, 4(3), 186. https://doi.org/10.37905/ppj.v4i3.2394
- Dūdiņa, K., & Martinsone, B. (2025). Psychosocial Risks and Protective Factors for Healthcare Worker Burnout During the Post-Acute Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 15(9), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15090186
- Dumitriu, S., Bocean, C. G., Vărzaru, A. A., Al-Floarei, A. T., Sperdea, N. M., Popescu, F. L., & Băloi, I. C. (2025). The Role of the Workplace Environment in Shaping Employees’ Well-Being. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(6), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062613
- Duque, L., Costa, R., Dias, Á., Pereira, L., Santos, J., & António, N. (2020). New ways of working and the physical environment to improve employee engagement. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(17), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU12176759
- Elshaer, I. A., Azazz, A. M. S., Kooli, C., Aljoghaiman, A., Elsawy, O., & Fayyad, S. (2025). Green Transformational Leadership’s Impact on Employee Retention: Does Job Satisfaction and Green Support Bridge the Gap? Administrative Sciences, 15(5), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15050177
- Gazi, M. A. I., Yusof, M. F., Islam, M. A., Amin, M. Bin, & Senathirajah, A. R. bin S. (2024). Analyzing the impact of employee job satisfaction on their job behavior in the industrial setting: An analysis from the perspective of job performance. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2024.100427
- Gelencsér, M., Szabó-Szentgróti, G., Kőmüves, Z. S., & Hollósy-Vadász, G. (2023). The Holistic Model of Labour Retention: The Impact of Workplace Wellbeing Factors on Employee Retention. Administrative Sciences, 13(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci13050121
- Ghani, B., Zada, M., Memon, K. R., Ullah, R., Khattak, A., Han, H., Ariza-Montes, A., & Araya-Castillo, L. (2022). Challenges and Strategies for Employee Retention in the Hospitality Industry: A Review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(5), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052885
- Gustiani, S. (2019). Research and Development (R&D) Method As a Model Design in Educational Research and Its Alternatives. Holistics Journal, 11(2), 12–22. https://jurnal.polsri.ac.id/index.php/holistic/article/view/1849
- Hair, J., & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research: Guidelines using an applied example. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 1(3), 100027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2022.100027
- Hamed, S. A., Sabri, S., & Rusli, N. (2023). The Impacts of Physical Workplace Environment (PWE) on Employees' Productivity. International Journal of Business and Technology Management, April 2025. https://doi.org/10.55057/ijbtm.2023.5.4.33
- Igbinoba, E., Opeyemi, J., Igbadumhe, F., & Dibia, P. (2022). Retention strategies and organisational performance. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 28(5), 1–12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360572762_Employees’_retention_strategies_and_organizational_performance/link/627e5cd4973bbb29cc7b5fb5/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19
- Iordache, R. M., Cioca, G., Mihaila, D., Petreanu, V., Ionescu, Ștefan E., & Antonov, A. E. (2025). Occupational Stress Factors and Psychosocial Environment for Ambulance Personnel. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(10), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104518
- Mac Thi Hai, Y., & Tran Thi, C. (2025). The Impact of Job Satisfaction on Job Performance in Remote Work Contexts: An Empirical Investigation Using the JD-R Model. Central European Business Review, 15(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.18267/j.cebr.406
- Mardhotillah, B., Mubarak, F., Sundara, V. Y., Yanova, S., & Gusmanely, G. Z. (2025). Path diagram of SEM-PLS Public Perception of Ecotourism in Jambi Province. Global Education Journal, 3(1), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.59525/gej.v3i1.295
- Menezes, D. B. S., Gumashivili, M., & Kanokon, K. (2025). The Role of Employee Engagement in Mediating the Influence of Talent Management on Employee Retention. Sustainability, 17(3277), 1–22. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/7/3277
- Mercer. (2023). Rise of the relatable organization. Global Talent Trends 2023, 1–88. https://www.mercer.com/id-id/insights/people-strategy/future-of-work/global-talent-trends/?size=n_20_n
- Mura, A. L., Ariccio, S., Villani, T., Bonaiuto, F., & Bonaiuto, M. (2023). The Physical Environment in Remote Working: Development and Validation of Perceived Remote Workplace Environment Quality Indicators (PRWEQIs). Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15042858
- Nallaluthan, K., Kamaruddin, S., Thurasamy, R., Ghouri, A. M., & Kanapathy, K. (2024). Quantitative Data Analysis using PLS-SEM (SmartPLS): Issues and Challenges in Ethical Consideration. International Business Education Journal, 17(2), 41–54. https://doi.org/10.37134/ibej.vol17.2.04.2024
- Opare Darko, I. L., Bans-Akutey, A., Amoako, P., & Affum, L. K. (2024). Employee retention and organizational performance: Evidence from the Ghana Police Service. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 5(3), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v5i3.1855
- Pasaribu, D. F. (2024). The Effect of Job Satisfaction on Employee Performance of PT. Saraswati Anugrah Makmur Medan Branch. Golden Ratio of Data in Summary, 5(1), 07–15. https://doi.org/10.52970/grdis.v5i1.677
- Prastya, G., & Fu’ad, E. N. (2022). Mediasi Kepuasan Kerja Pada Hubungan Lingkungan Kerja Dengan Retensi Karyawan. Jurnal Dinamika Ekonomi & Bisnis, 19(2), 213–226. https://doi.org/10.34001/jdeb.v19i2.3719
- Rasool, S. F., Mohelska, H., Rehman, F. U., Raza, H., & Asghar, M. Z. (2025). Exploring the Nexus Between a Supportive Workplace Environment, Employee Engagement, and Employee Performance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Administrative Sciences, 15(6), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15060230
- Savanevičienė, A., Girdauskienė, L., & Stankevičiūtė, Ž. (2025). The Role of HRM Practices in Shaping a Positive Psychosocial Experience of Employees: Insights from the SCARF Model. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104528
- Shetty, R. S., Kamath, G. B., Rodrigues, L. L. R., Devi, N. R., & Shetty, S. R. (2025). Impact of the Physical Environment on Employee Satisfaction in Private Hospitals. Buildings, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111848
- Shetty, R. S., Kamath, G. B., Rodrigues, L. L. R., Nandineni, R. D., & Shetty, S. R. (2024). The Impact of the Physical Environment on Staff in Healthcare Facilities: A Systematic Literature Review. Buildings, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092773
- Suwandana, S., & Made, I. G. (2025). Peran Kepuasan Kerja dalam Memediasi Pengaruh Lingkungan Kerja terhadap Kinerja Karyawan. Journal of Comprehensive Science (JCS), 4(1), 194–203. https://doi.org/10.59188/jcs.v4i1.2963
- Tarigan, A., & Lataruva, E. (2024). Peran Mediasi Kepuasan Kerja dalam Hubungan Stres Kerja dengan Turnover Intention pada Karyawan Coffee Shop di Tembalang. Jurnal Dinamika Bisnis Dan Kewirausahaan, 1(1), 1–17. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/23525-85061-1-PB.pdf
- Trisna Wijayanthi, I. A., Subagio, M., Suhendra, A., Hartini, H., & Amin Darmawan, A. (2024). Employee Retention Implementation Prevents Employee Turnover. Siber Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary, 2(2), 288–301. https://doi.org/10.38035/sjam.v2i2.211
- Vuelvas-Robles, G. M., Cano-Gutiérrez, J. C., Olguín-Tiznado, J. E., Camargo-Wilson, C., López-Barreras, J. A., & Cázares-Manríquez, M. A. (2025). Ergonomic and Psychosocial Risk Factors and Their Relationship with Productivity: A Bibliometric Analysis. Safety, 11(3), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety11030074
- Zhang, S., Nie, M., Peng, J., & Ren, H. (2025). Effectiveness of Physical Activity-Led Workplace Health Promotion Interventions: A Systematic Review. In Healthcare (Switzerland) (Vol. 13, Issue 11). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13111292
References
Almashyakhi, A. M. (2024). Talent Management Practices and Employee Retention: Does It Make a Difference? Merits, 4(4), 453–462. https://doi.org/10.3390/merits4040032
Andersen, L. P., Andersen, D. R., & Pihl-Thingvad, J. (2025). Psychosocial Climate as Antecedent for Resources to Manage Emotional Demands at Work. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010064
Angga Kurniawan. (2023). Job Satisfaction and Employee Performance in Indonesia. SAJMR : Southeast Asian Journal of Management and Research, 1(1), 01–18. https://doi.org/10.61402/sajmr.v1i1.2
Bodin Danielsson, C., & Theorell, T. (2024). Office Design’s Impact on Psychosocial Work Environment and Emotional Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040438
Chompukum, P., & Vanichbuncha, T. (2025). Building a Positive Work Environment: The Role of Psychological Empowerment in Engagement and Intention to Leave. Behavioral Sciences, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020131
Cynthia Mahalaksmi, N. K., & Made Suwandana, I. G. (2024). The Role of Job Satisfaction in Mediating the Influence of the Work Environment on Organizational Commitment. Jurnal Sosial Dan Sains, 4(3), 208–217. https://doi.org/10.59188/jurnalsosains.v4i3.1238
Djuli, F. A., Abdussamad, Z., & Sulila, I. (2023). The Influence of Job Satisfaction on Employee Performance. Public Policy Journal, 4(3), 186. https://doi.org/10.37905/ppj.v4i3.2394
Dūdiņa, K., & Martinsone, B. (2025). Psychosocial Risks and Protective Factors for Healthcare Worker Burnout During the Post-Acute Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 15(9), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15090186
Dumitriu, S., Bocean, C. G., Vărzaru, A. A., Al-Floarei, A. T., Sperdea, N. M., Popescu, F. L., & Băloi, I. C. (2025). The Role of the Workplace Environment in Shaping Employees’ Well-Being. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(6), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062613
Duque, L., Costa, R., Dias, Á., Pereira, L., Santos, J., & António, N. (2020). New ways of working and the physical environment to improve employee engagement. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(17), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU12176759
Elshaer, I. A., Azazz, A. M. S., Kooli, C., Aljoghaiman, A., Elsawy, O., & Fayyad, S. (2025). Green Transformational Leadership’s Impact on Employee Retention: Does Job Satisfaction and Green Support Bridge the Gap? Administrative Sciences, 15(5), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15050177
Gazi, M. A. I., Yusof, M. F., Islam, M. A., Amin, M. Bin, & Senathirajah, A. R. bin S. (2024). Analyzing the impact of employee job satisfaction on their job behavior in the industrial setting: An analysis from the perspective of job performance. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2024.100427
Gelencsér, M., Szabó-Szentgróti, G., Kőmüves, Z. S., & Hollósy-Vadász, G. (2023). The Holistic Model of Labour Retention: The Impact of Workplace Wellbeing Factors on Employee Retention. Administrative Sciences, 13(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci13050121
Ghani, B., Zada, M., Memon, K. R., Ullah, R., Khattak, A., Han, H., Ariza-Montes, A., & Araya-Castillo, L. (2022). Challenges and Strategies for Employee Retention in the Hospitality Industry: A Review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(5), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052885
Gustiani, S. (2019). Research and Development (R&D) Method As a Model Design in Educational Research and Its Alternatives. Holistics Journal, 11(2), 12–22. https://jurnal.polsri.ac.id/index.php/holistic/article/view/1849
Hair, J., & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research: Guidelines using an applied example. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 1(3), 100027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2022.100027
Hamed, S. A., Sabri, S., & Rusli, N. (2023). The Impacts of Physical Workplace Environment (PWE) on Employees' Productivity. International Journal of Business and Technology Management, April 2025. https://doi.org/10.55057/ijbtm.2023.5.4.33
Igbinoba, E., Opeyemi, J., Igbadumhe, F., & Dibia, P. (2022). Retention strategies and organisational performance. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 28(5), 1–12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360572762_Employees’_retention_strategies_and_organizational_performance/link/627e5cd4973bbb29cc7b5fb5/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19
Iordache, R. M., Cioca, G., Mihaila, D., Petreanu, V., Ionescu, Ștefan E., & Antonov, A. E. (2025). Occupational Stress Factors and Psychosocial Environment for Ambulance Personnel. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(10), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104518
Mac Thi Hai, Y., & Tran Thi, C. (2025). The Impact of Job Satisfaction on Job Performance in Remote Work Contexts: An Empirical Investigation Using the JD-R Model. Central European Business Review, 15(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.18267/j.cebr.406
Mardhotillah, B., Mubarak, F., Sundara, V. Y., Yanova, S., & Gusmanely, G. Z. (2025). Path diagram of SEM-PLS Public Perception of Ecotourism in Jambi Province. Global Education Journal, 3(1), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.59525/gej.v3i1.295
Menezes, D. B. S., Gumashivili, M., & Kanokon, K. (2025). The Role of Employee Engagement in Mediating the Influence of Talent Management on Employee Retention. Sustainability, 17(3277), 1–22. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/7/3277
Mercer. (2023). Rise of the relatable organization. Global Talent Trends 2023, 1–88. https://www.mercer.com/id-id/insights/people-strategy/future-of-work/global-talent-trends/?size=n_20_n
Mura, A. L., Ariccio, S., Villani, T., Bonaiuto, F., & Bonaiuto, M. (2023). The Physical Environment in Remote Working: Development and Validation of Perceived Remote Workplace Environment Quality Indicators (PRWEQIs). Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15042858
Nallaluthan, K., Kamaruddin, S., Thurasamy, R., Ghouri, A. M., & Kanapathy, K. (2024). Quantitative Data Analysis using PLS-SEM (SmartPLS): Issues and Challenges in Ethical Consideration. International Business Education Journal, 17(2), 41–54. https://doi.org/10.37134/ibej.vol17.2.04.2024
Opare Darko, I. L., Bans-Akutey, A., Amoako, P., & Affum, L. K. (2024). Employee retention and organizational performance: Evidence from the Ghana Police Service. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 5(3), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v5i3.1855
Pasaribu, D. F. (2024). The Effect of Job Satisfaction on Employee Performance of PT. Saraswati Anugrah Makmur Medan Branch. Golden Ratio of Data in Summary, 5(1), 07–15. https://doi.org/10.52970/grdis.v5i1.677
Prastya, G., & Fu’ad, E. N. (2022). Mediasi Kepuasan Kerja Pada Hubungan Lingkungan Kerja Dengan Retensi Karyawan. Jurnal Dinamika Ekonomi & Bisnis, 19(2), 213–226. https://doi.org/10.34001/jdeb.v19i2.3719
Rasool, S. F., Mohelska, H., Rehman, F. U., Raza, H., & Asghar, M. Z. (2025). Exploring the Nexus Between a Supportive Workplace Environment, Employee Engagement, and Employee Performance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Administrative Sciences, 15(6), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15060230
Savanevičienė, A., Girdauskienė, L., & Stankevičiūtė, Ž. (2025). The Role of HRM Practices in Shaping a Positive Psychosocial Experience of Employees: Insights from the SCARF Model. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104528
Shetty, R. S., Kamath, G. B., Rodrigues, L. L. R., Devi, N. R., & Shetty, S. R. (2025). Impact of the Physical Environment on Employee Satisfaction in Private Hospitals. Buildings, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111848
Shetty, R. S., Kamath, G. B., Rodrigues, L. L. R., Nandineni, R. D., & Shetty, S. R. (2024). The Impact of the Physical Environment on Staff in Healthcare Facilities: A Systematic Literature Review. Buildings, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092773
Suwandana, S., & Made, I. G. (2025). Peran Kepuasan Kerja dalam Memediasi Pengaruh Lingkungan Kerja terhadap Kinerja Karyawan. Journal of Comprehensive Science (JCS), 4(1), 194–203. https://doi.org/10.59188/jcs.v4i1.2963
Tarigan, A., & Lataruva, E. (2024). Peran Mediasi Kepuasan Kerja dalam Hubungan Stres Kerja dengan Turnover Intention pada Karyawan Coffee Shop di Tembalang. Jurnal Dinamika Bisnis Dan Kewirausahaan, 1(1), 1–17. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/23525-85061-1-PB.pdf
Trisna Wijayanthi, I. A., Subagio, M., Suhendra, A., Hartini, H., & Amin Darmawan, A. (2024). Employee Retention Implementation Prevents Employee Turnover. Siber Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary, 2(2), 288–301. https://doi.org/10.38035/sjam.v2i2.211
Vuelvas-Robles, G. M., Cano-Gutiérrez, J. C., Olguín-Tiznado, J. E., Camargo-Wilson, C., López-Barreras, J. A., & Cázares-Manríquez, M. A. (2025). Ergonomic and Psychosocial Risk Factors and Their Relationship with Productivity: A Bibliometric Analysis. Safety, 11(3), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety11030074
Zhang, S., Nie, M., Peng, J., & Ren, H. (2025). Effectiveness of Physical Activity-Led Workplace Health Promotion Interventions: A Systematic Review. In Healthcare (Switzerland) (Vol. 13, Issue 11). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13111292