Gender Policy, Work Environment, and Social Support on Job Satisfaction: Evidence from Densus 88 Polri

Purpose: This study examines the influence of gender policy and work environment on job satisfaction, with social support as a mediating variable in the context of Densus 88 POLRI, Indonesia’s counter-terrorism unit.
Methodology: A quantitative correlational design was used with 150 personnel selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a validated Likert-scale questionnaire measuring gender policy, work environment, social support, and job satisfaction. Data were analyzed using PLS-SEM with SmartPLS 4.0.
Results: The model showed good validity and reliability, with the structural model explaining 67% of job satisfaction variance. Gender policy (β = 0.34, p < 0.001) and work environment (β = 0.39, p < 0.001) had significant positive effects, while social support had the strongest influence (β = 0.42, p < 0.001). Social support also partially mediated both relationships.
Conclusions: Gender policy, work environment, and social support significantly enhance job satisfaction, with social support playing the most dominant role.
Limitations: Findings are limited by the single-unit sample and cross-sectional design, which restrict generalizability and causal inference.
Contributions: This study contributes to organizational behavior literature in high-risk policing environments and offers insights for improving HR policies in elite law enforcement institutions.