An Empirical Analysis of Psychological Capital Factors Influencing Job Performance Among Public Servants in the Klang Valley

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/ji.v21i2.11549

Keywords:

Job Performance, Self-Efficacy, Hope, Optimism, Resilience, Psychological Capital Factors

Abstract

This study examines the impact of psychological capital on job performance among public servants in Malaysia. Psychological capital, covering self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience, has gained significant attention within positive organizational behavior research. Although these traits are known to help employees succeed, there is little research on them within the Malaysian government sector. The conservation of resources theory postulates that psychological resources enable employees to manage stress effectively, maintain motivation, and enhance performance. A quantitative research design was developed using an online survey distributed to 300 targeted respondents from ministries and public universities in the Klang Valley. Nonetheless, 185 respondents' questionnaires were valid for analysis. Research instruments used in the analysis comprised 49 items and demonstrated strong internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging between 0.782 and 0.824. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS version 29 using measurements such as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between all four dimensions of psychological capital: resilience, optimism, hope, and job performance. The strongest drivers of success were performance, resilience, optimism, and hope. The model accounted for 61.5% of the variance in job performance contributed by all four dimensions of psychological capital variables. Hence, the study contributes to the advancement of positive psychological literature by validating the COR theory within a Malaysian public sector context. The findings highlighted the importance of implementing human resource development strategies and targeted training initiatives to strengthen psychological capital to enhance employees' well-being, productivity, and overall organizational effectiveness.

 

 

 

Author Biographies

  • Nurul Masyitah Syahirah Saharum, MARA University of Technology

    Nurul Masyitah Syahirah binti Saharum is a student at the Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Policy Studies (FSPPP) at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). She can be contacted at masyitah.syahirah@gmail.com.

  • Maymunah Ismail, MARA University of Technology

    Maymunah binti Ismail is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics and Finance, Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Melaka Branch, Alor Gajah Campus. Her main research activities are in the fields of Islamic economics, international economics, and Human Capital. She has published journal articles in the Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences (ERA) and the Journal of Islamic Philanthropy and Islamic Finance (JiPSF). She can be contacted via email at maymu791@uitm.edu.my .

  • Saeidah Jantan, MARA University of Technology

    Saeidah binti Jantan serves as a Senior Executive Officer at the Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Melaka Branch, Jasin Campus. She is attached to the faculty’s Administration Department and has an interest in administrative management, organisational development, and institutional operations research. She can be contacted via email at baidah@uitm.edu.my.

     

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Published

2026-07-30

How to Cite

An Empirical Analysis of Psychological Capital Factors Influencing Job Performance Among Public Servants in the Klang Valley. (2026). Jurnal Intelek, 21(2), 229-244. https://doi.org/10.24191/ji.v21i2.11549