The Impact of Job Motivation on Adaptive Performance in Digital Transformation: The Mediating Roles of Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness in Malaysian Tourism

• Ahmed Muayad Younus

  LUTC University, Malaysia

  Author

  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5686-3505

• Mohanad S S Abumandil

  Tourism and Wellness University of Malaysia Kelantan

  Author

  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0121-306X

• Ahmed Aish

  University Utara Malaysia

  Author

  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2928-7167

• Akram Alloh

  Tourism and Wellness University of Malaysia Kelantan

  Author

  https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7788-6694

This study investigates the impact of job motivation on the adaptive performance of employees in tourism companies in Malaysia during digital transformation. The research is grounded in Self-Determination Theory, focusing on autonomy, competence, and relatedness as mediating variables. As tourism companies increasingly adopt digital technologies, employee adaptability has become essential for organizational success. However, limited research has explored how motivational factors influence adaptive performance in this context, particularly within developing economies such as Malaysia.

      A quantitative research design was employed using a structured survey questionnaire distributed among employees in tourism companies. The study focused on measuring job motivation, autonomy, competence, relatedness, and adaptive performance. Data were analyzed using statistical techniques, including reliability testing, validity assessment, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among variables and test the proposed hypotheses. The findings reveal that job motivation has a significant positive effect on adaptive performance. Moreover, autonomy, competence, and relatedness were found to partially mediate this relationship, indicating that psychological needs strengthen employees’ ability to adapt to digital transformation. The results are consistent with Self-Determination Theory and prior studies emphasizing the importance of intrinsic motivation in workplace adaptability. The study also highlights that competence plays a particularly strong role in enhancing employee performance in technology-driven environments.

      The study concludes that job motivation is a key driver of adaptive performance in tourism companies undergoing digital transformation in Malaysia. The mediating role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness further explains how motivation translates into improved employee adaptability. These findings provide both theoretical contributions to motivation literature and practical implications for managers aiming to enhance workforce readiness in digital transformation initiatives.

1. Ahmed Muayad Younus , LUTC University, Malaysia
   Postgraduate Centre (PGC) 
2. Mohanad S S Abumandil, Tourism and Wellness University of Malaysia Kelantan
   Faculty of Hospitality
3. Ahmed Aish, University Utara Malaysia

   School of Business 

4. Akram Alloh, Tourism and Wellness University of Malaysia Kelantan
   Faculty of Hospitality

Abumandil, M., Alkhawaja, M. I., Younus, A. M., & Patwary, A. K. (2022). Mobile augmented reality and social media usage for smart tourism sustainability in Malaysia. ECS Transactions, 107(1).

Abu-Naser, S. S., Obaid, T., Abumandil, M. S., & Mahmoud, A. Y. (2023). Heart disease prediction using a group of machine and deep learning algorithms. In The International Conference of Advanced Computing and Informatics (pp. 181–196). Springer, Cham.

Alkhawaja, M. I., Halim, M. S. A., Abumandil, M. S., & Al-Adwan, A. S. (2022). System quality and student’s acceptance of the e-learning system: The serial mediation of perceived usefulness and intention to use. Contemporary Educational Technology, 14(2), Article ep350.

Almasri, A., Obaid, T., Abumandil, M. S., Eneizan, B., Mahmoud, A. Y., & Abu-Naser, S. S. (2023). Mining educational data to improve teachers’ performance. In M. Al-Emran, K. Shaalan, & M. A. Al-Sharafi (Eds.), International Conference on Information Systems and Intelligent Applications (ICISIA 2022) (pp. 243–255). Springer.

Alshurideh, M., Al Kurdi, B., & Salloum, S. A. (2024). Digital transformation and employee capabilities in service organizations. *International Journal of Information Management, 74*, 102712.

Alshurideh, M., Al Kurdi, B., & Salloum, S. A. (2024). Digital transformation and employee capabilities in service organizations. *International Journal of Information Management, 74*, 102712.

Bhattacharyya, D. K. (2007). *Human resource research methods*. Oxford University Press.

Buhalis, D., Harwood, T., Bogicevic, V., Viglia, G., Beldona, S., & Hofacker, C. (2023). Technological disruptions in tourism and hospitality: Building resilient organizations. *Tourism Management Perspectives, 47*, 101122.

Buhalis, D., Harwood, T., Bogicevic, V., Viglia, G., Beldona, S., & Hofacker, C. (2023). Technological disruptions in tourism and hospitality: Building resilient organizations. *Tourism Management Perspectives, 47*, 101122.

Buhalis, D., Leung, R., & Lin, M. (2023). Metaverse as a disruptive technology in tourism and hospitality: A systematic review. *International Journal of Tourism Research, 25*(2), 1–18.

Buhalis, D., Leung, R., & Lin, M. (2023). Metaverse as a disruptive technology in tourism and hospitality. *International Journal of Tourism Research, 25*(2), 1–15.

Charbonnier-Voirin, A., & Roussel, P. (2012). Adaptive performance: A new scale to measure individual performance in organizations. *Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, 29*(3), 280–293.

Charbonnier‐Voirin, A., & Roussel, P. (2012). Adaptive performance: A new scale to measure individual performance in organizations. *Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, 29*(3), 280–293.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Plenum Press.

Deci, E. L., Olafsen, A. H., & Ryan, R. M. (2017). Self-determination theory in work organizations. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 4*, 19–43.

Deci, E. L., Olafsen, A. H., & Ryan, R. M. (2017). Self‐determination theory in work organizations: The state of a science. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 4, 19–43.

Deci, E. L., Olafsen, A. H., & Ryan, R. M. (2017). Self‐determination theory in work organizations: The state of a science. *Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 4*, 19–43.

Dover, P. A. (2016). The impact of job knowledge on organizational performance. *Journal of Workplace Learning, 28*(5), 276–289.

Dover, P. A. (2016). The impact of job knowledge on organizational performance. *Journal of Workplace Learning, 28*(5), 276–289.

Ekmeil, F. A. R., Abumandil, M. S. S., Alkhawaja, M. I., Siam, I. M., & Alaklouk, S. A. A. (2021). Augmented reality and virtual reality revolutionize business transformation in digital marketing tech industry analysts and visionaries during Coronavirus (COVID-19). Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1860(1), 012012.

Eneizan, B., Obaid, T., Abumandil, M. S., Mahmoud, A. Y., Abu-Naser, S. S., Arif, K., & Abulehia, A. F. (2023). Acceptance of mobile banking in the era of COVID-19. In M. Al-Emran, K. Shaalan, & M. A. Al-Sharafi (Eds.), International Conference on Information Systems and Intelligent Applications (ICISIA 2022) (pp. 29–42). Springer.

Gagné, M., & Deci, E. L. (2005). Self‐determination theory and work motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26(4), 331–362.

Gagné, M., & Deci, E. L. (2005). Self‐determination theory and work motivation. *Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26*(4), 331–362.

Gagné, M., Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2015). Self‐determination theory applied to work motivation and organizational behavior. In M. Gagné (Ed.), *The Oxford handbook of work engagement, motivation, and self-determination theory* (pp. 97–118). Oxford University Press.

Gretzel, U., Sigala, M., Xiang, Z., & Koo, C. (2019). Smart tourism: Foundations and developments. Electronic Markets, 29(3), 407–422.

Gretzel, U., Sigala, M., Xiang, Z., & Koo, C. (2019). Smart tourism: Foundations and developments. *Electronic Markets, 29*(3), 407–422.

7](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-019-00375-7)

Gretzel, U., Sigala, M., Xiang, Z., & Koo, C. (2019). Smart tourism: Foundations and developments. *Electronic Markets, 29*(3), 407–422.

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). *A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) * (3rd ed.). Sage.

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Sage.

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). *A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) * (3rd ed.). Sage.

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). *A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) * (3rd ed.). Sage.

Hair, J. F., Sarstedt, M., Matthews, L. M., & Ringle, C. M. (2014). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): An emerging tool in business research. *European Business Review, 26*(2), 106–121.

Judge, T. A., Weiss, H. M., Kammeyer‐Mueller, J. D., & Hulin, C. L. (2021). Job attitudes, job satisfaction, and job affect: A century of continuity and change. *Journal of Applied Psychology, 106*(2), 163–189.

Laelawati, K., & Yulianah, Y. (2025). Managing Employees in the Digital Era: Adaptation Strategies and Competency Development. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin Indonesia (JIM-ID), 4(10), 1356-1365.

Morgeson, F. P., & Humphrey, S. E. (2006). The Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ). *Journal

Morgeson, F. P., & Humphrey, S. E. (2006). The Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ): Developing and validating a comprehensive measure for assessing job design and the nature of work. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(6), 1321–1339.

Morgeson, F. P., & Humphrey, S. E. (2006). The Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ): Developing and validating a comprehensive measure for assessing job design and the nature of work. *Journal of Applied Psychology, 91*(6), 1321–1339.

Obaid, T., Abu-Naser, S. S., Abumandil, M. S., Mahmoud, A. Y., & Ali, A. A. A. (2023). Age and gender classification from retinal fundus using deep learning. In The International Conference of Advanced Computing and Informatics (pp. 171–180). Springer, Cham.

Obaid, T., Eneizan, B., Abumandil, M. S., Mahmoud, A. Y., Abu-Naser, S. S., & Ali, A. A. A. (2023). Factors affecting students’ adoption of e-learning systems during COVID-19 pandemic: A structural equation modeling approach. In M. Al-Emran, K. Shaalan, & M. A. Al-Sharafi (Eds.), International Conference on Information Systems and Intelligent Applications (ICISIA 2022) (pp. 227–242). Springer.

Osabiya, B. J. (2015). The effect of employees’ motivation on organizational performance. *Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, 7*(4), 62–75.

Page, N. (2008). Human resources management and organizational behavior. *International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 2*(1), 45–57.

Park, S., & Kim, E. J. (2024). Employee adaptability and digital transformation in service industries. Service Industries Journal, 44*(2), 145–163.

Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. *Behavior Research Methods, 40*(3), 879–891.

Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing mediation effects. *Behavior Research Methods, 40*(3), 879–891.

Pulakos, E. D., Arad, S., Donovan, M. A., & Plamondon, K. E. (2000). Adaptability in the workplace: Development of a taxonomy of adaptive performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(4), 612–624.

Pulakos, E. D., Arad, S., Donovan, M. A., & Plamondon, K. E. (2000). Adaptability in the workplace: Development of a taxonomy of adaptive performance. *Journal of Applied Psychology, 85*(4), 612–624.

Rahman, M. K., Hossain, M., & Islam, M. A. (2023). Smart tourism technologies and employee adaptability in hospitality organizations. *Tourism Review, 78*(4), 1012–1028.

Rahman, M. K., Hossain, M., & Islam, M. A. (2023). Smart tourism technologies and employee adaptability in hospitality organizations. Tourism Review, 78(4), 1012–1028.

Rahman, M. K., Hossain, M., & Islam, M. A. (2023). Smart tourism technologies and employee adaptability in hospitality organizations. *Tourism Review, 78*(4), 1012–1028.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. *American Psychologist, 55*(1), 68–78.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). *Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in knowledge, development, and wellness*. Guilford Press.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). *Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness*. Guilford Press.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). *Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness*. Guilford Press.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). *Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness*. Guilford Press.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). *Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness*. Guilford Press.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Press.

Sharif, Z. M., Abumandil, M. S., & Obaid, T. F. (2018). Centralization and complexity moderating the relationship between information quality and decision-making effectiveness: A study of banks in Palestine. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2016(1), 020084.

Siam, I., Abumandil, M., Jafri, A. R., & Alshuaibi, M. (2022). A systematic review on human capital investment: The context of Jordan. ECS Transactions, 107(1), 11029–11038.

Sousa, M. J., & Rocha, Á. (2022). Digital learning and knowledge management in organizations. *Future Business Journal, 8*(1), 1–14.

Sousa, M. J., & Rocha, Á. (2022). Digital learning and knowledge management in organizations. Future Business Journal, 8*(1), 1–14.

sPark, S., & Kim, E. J. (2024). Employee adaptability and digital transformation in service industries. Service Industries Journal, 44(2), 145–163. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2023.2267812

Spector, P. E. (2022). *Job satisfaction: Application, assessment, causes, and consequences* (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J., Fabian, N., & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. *Journal of Business Research, 122*, 889–901.

Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J., Fabian, N., & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. *Journal of Business Research, 122*, 889–901.

Yadegaridehkordi, E., Nilashi, M., Nasir, M. H. N. B. M., & Ibrahim, O. (2018). Predicting determinants of hotel success and development using structural equation modelling. *Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 9*(1), 124–143.

Yadegaridehkordi, E., Nilashi, M., Nasir, M. H. N. B. M., & Ibrahim, O. (2018). Predicting determinants of hotel success and development using structural equation modelling. *Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 9*(1), 124–143.

Younus, A. M., Abumandil, M. S., Gangwar, V. P., & Gupta, S. K. (2022). AI-based smart education system for a smart city using an improved self-adaptive leap-frogging algorithm. In AI-Centric Smart City Ecosystems (pp. 231–245). CRC Press.

Younus, A. M., Tarazi, R., Younis, H., & Abumandil, M. (2022). The role of behavioural intentions in implementation of bitcoin digital currency factors in terms of usage and acceptance in New Zealand: Cyber security and social influence. ECS Transactions, 107(1), 10847–10856.

Zhang, Y., Li, X., & Chen, J. (2023). Digital competence and employee adaptability in technology-intensive industries. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 187, 122134.

Zhang, Y., Li, X., & Chen, J. (2023). Digital competence and employee adaptability in technology-intensive industries. *Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 187*, 122134.

Zhang, Y., Li, X., & Chen, J. (2023). Digital competence and employee adaptability in technology-intensive industries. *Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 187*, 122134.

• Research Article - PDF

Copyright (c) 2026 AJSI Journal

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This journal uses a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. Authors retain copyright, and readers may share and adapt the work for any purpose, including commercial use, provided appropriate credit is given, a link to the license is included, and any changes are indicated.