Impact of Training and Development on Employee Performance: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction, in the IT Sector of Punjab Province, Pakistan

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various training and development practices within the IT sector of Punjab, Pakistan, and to examine the mediating role of job satisfaction in the relationship between these training and development practices and employee performance. A structured questionnaire was distributed among employees working in the IT sector of Punjab to collect data on their perceptions of training effectiveness, job satisfaction, and employee performance. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. The findings reveal that specific training components, particularly Training Delivery and Training Evaluation, significantly enhance employee performance. However, contrary to traditional beliefs, job satisfaction did not play a significant mediating role in this relationship. The results indicated that while Training Delivery and Evaluation directly affected performance, the indirect effects through job satisfaction were minimal and statistically insignificant. Based on these outcomes, it is recommended that organizations in the IT sector of Punjab focus on optimizing their training delivery and evaluation processes to directly boost performance. Future research should consider employing longitudinal designs to better understand the dynamics over time and expand the scope of mediator variables to include other potential factors like employee engagement or organizational culture. Additionally, exploring the integration of advanced technological tools in training practices could further enhance training effectiveness and adaptability in this rapidly evolving sector. These strategies are essential for developing more tailored, effective training programs that align with the specific needs and conditions of the IT workforce.