Determinants of Employee Productivity: The Role of Work-Life Balance, Communication Effectiveness, and Technological Support

Abstract

Employee productivity is a critical determinant of organisational performance, particularly in the information technology (IT) sector, where efficiency, innovation, and responsiveness are essential for organisational competitiveness. Although previous studies have identified work-life balance, communication effectiveness, technological support, and organisational support as important workplace factors, limited research has examined these variables within a single integrated framework in the Malaysian IT context. Using Social Exchange Theory, this study looked at the links between work-life balance, communication efficacy, technology assistance, organizational support, and employee productivity among IT personnel in Kuala Lumpur. A quantitative cross-sectional survey approach was used, with data collected from 273 full-time IT workers using a standardized questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and the Sobel mediation test. The findings demonstrated that work-life balance, communication effectiveness, and technology assistance were all favourably and substantially related to employee productivity. Communication effectiveness had the greatest impact on employee productivity, followed by technical support and work-life balance. The findings also showed that organizational support strongly moderated the links between work-life balance, communication efficacy, technology assistance, and employee productivity. The study adds to the literature by expanding on Social Exchange Theory and proving the mediating effect of organizational support in increasing employee productivity in Malaysia's IT industry.