Leadership training programmes and productivity: The influence of trainee motivation as a mediator

Recent empirical studies have recognised that trainee motivation indirectly influences the relationship between leadership training programmes and productivity. Although this relationship has been widely studied, the role of trainee motivation as a mediating variable has not been discussed in detail in the training management literature. This study focuses on the relationship between leadership training programmes and productivity and examines the role of trainee motivation as a mediating variable. A survey method was used to gather 328 sets of questionnaires from various categories of positions in the central administration sector, in Malaysia. This study employed SmartPLS programme path model analysis to evaluate the measurement and structural models and further examine the significance level of the research hypotheses. The results of path model analysis testing confirm that trainee motivation indirectly influences the relationship between leadership training programmes and productivity. This study’s findings can be used as important certificates by management to understand the diversity of perspectives on trainee motivation and design a training programme master plan that can increase employee inspiration to succeed and maintain the organisation’s strategies and goals in an era of global competition and an unstable economy.