The Influence of Agricultural Extension Competence on Performance in Bengkalis Regency

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of agricultural extension competence and continuance commitment on the performance of extension officers in Bengkalis Regency. Utilizing a quantitative approach with a census method, data were collected from 57 respondents comprising civil servants and contract-based extension workers. Structured questionnaires measured continuance commitment, competence, and performance using validated instruments. Statistical analysis was conducted through SPSS version 25 employing multiple linear regression to test both direct and indirect relationships. The findings reveal that both competence and continuance commitment significantly and positively influence job performance. Competence serves not only as an independent variable but also as a mediating factor, reinforcing the performance outcomes associated with continuance commitment. This research contributes to the literature by integrating commitment and competence within a unified framework, highlighting their interdependence in enhancing public service performance. The focus on continuance commitment—a dimension often overlooked in favor of affective or normative forms—offers new insights into employee behavior in the public sector, particularly in rural bureaucracies characterized by job security and limited alternatives. Practically, the results suggest that local governments should prioritize capacity-building initiatives and professional development for extension officers while maintaining job stability to strengthen employee commitment. Human resource policies should integrate competence-oriented training with retention strategies to create a more resilient and high-performing workforce. This study’s originality lies in its localized context and its theoretical contribution to understanding how continuance commitment and competence jointly shape performance in public agricultural institutions.