Determinants of Job Performance of Public Servants in Asian Countries: A Systematic Literature Review

Authors

  • Siti Munirrah Ahmad Zahran Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam Campus
  • Nurul Hidayana Mohd Noor Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Seremban Campus
  • Marni Ghazali Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Seremban Campus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/jas.v22i2.8510

Keywords:

Transformational Leadership, Organizational Commitment, Emotional Intelligence, Asia, Civil Servant Performance, Human Resource Management (HRM)

Abstract

The primary causes that affect job performance among civil servants in Asian countries were addressed in this systematic literature review. The review further determines six key themes that are based on 14 peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2024, which are leadership styles and behaviours, emotional and psychological factors, organisational commitment and citizenship behaviour, human resource management practices and skills, organisational support and perceptions of fairness, and work environment and job demands. These factors play pivotal roles in improving job performance and are grounded in established frameworks such as Transformational and Servant Leadership Theory, Organizational Commitment Theory, and Strategic HRM, along with supporting concepts like Emotional Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, and Equity Theory. These perspectives elucidate the interaction of factors to shape performance outcomes. The cultural dynamics comprising collectivism and hierarchical structures affect how these factors are perceived as well as how it is applied across national contexts. It also emphasises the importance of people-centred leadership, fair governance, and culturally sensitive reforms that address workload pressures and psychological well-being in the public service. The limitations are indicating to the need for broader regional and longitudinal studies together with a narrow geographical scope and uneven thematic coverage, pointing to the need for broader regional and longitudinal studies.

Author Biographies

  • Siti Munirrah Ahmad Zahran, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam Campus

    Siti Munirrah Binti Ahmad Zahran is currently enrolled in the Master of Administrative Science (AM780) programme at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam. Her research interest lies in the area of public sector performance, with a particular focus on the determinants influencing civil servants’ job performance within the Asian context,

  • Nurul Hidayana Mohd Noor, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Seremban Campus

    Dr. Nurul Hidayana Binti Mohd Noor is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP), UiTM Seremban. Her areas of academic expertise include nonprofit management, entrepreneurship studies, youth development, organizational behaviour, and social work. She has contributed extensively to research in entrepreneurial and social development within the public sector.

  • Marni Ghazali, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Seremban Campus

    Dr. Marni Binti Ghazali serves as a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP), UiTM Seremban. Her research interests are rooted in public administration and social sciences, with specialisations in quality management, service delivery, organisational change, good governance, and social accountability mechanisms.

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Published

2025-10-30

How to Cite

Determinants of Job Performance of Public Servants in Asian Countries: A Systematic Literature Review. (2025). Journal of Administrative Science, 22(2), 225-252. https://doi.org/10.24191/jas.v22i2.8510