THE INFLUENCE OF JOB DEMAND AND JOB RESOURCES ON EMPLOYEE WELLBEING THROUGH JOB SATISFACTION, WORK-LIFE BALANCE, AND QUALITY OF WORK LIFE AMONG MSME EMPLOYEES IN JAVA

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic relationship between job demands, job resources, and employee wellbeing among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) employees in Indonesia, integrating the mediating roles of job satisfaction, work-life balance (WLB), and quality of work life (QWL). Grounded in the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) theoretical framework, this research employed a quantitative, cross-sectional design and analyzed responses from 400 MSME employees across Java Island using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that job demands exert significant negative effects on job satisfaction, WLB, and QWL, thereby reducing overall employee wellbeing. Conversely, job resources positively influence these mediators, which in turn enhance wellbeing. Mediation analysis confirms that QWL is the strongest intervening variable, followed by job satisfaction and WLB, suggesting that workplace enrichment strategies play a crucial buffering role against occupational stress. This study contributes theoretically by extending the JD-R model into a resource-constrained, culturally distinct setting. Practically, it offers actionable insights for MSME managers and policymakers seeking to improve employee wellbeing through cost-effective, psychosocial interventions. The results advocate for shifting focus from mere workload reduction to strategic investment in job resources and quality of work life enhancements.