Employee performance in Malaysia's automotive sector : The role of leadership style, organizational support and employee well being

The automotive sector in Kulim, Kedah, plays a crucial role in Malaysia’s industrial development, where employee performance remains a key driver of operational success and long-term competitiveness. This study investigates the effects of leadership style, organizational support, and employee well-being on employee performance. Adopting quantitative research design, data was collected from 150 respondents using a structured survey distributed via Google Forms. The responses were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. The findings reveal that leadership style, organizational support, and well-being each have a significant and positive influence on employee performance. These insights offer practical implications for leaders and HR practitioners in the automotive industry to enhance workforce effectiveness by fostering supportive leadership, strengthening organizational support systems, and prioritizing employee well-being. Given the rapid growth and increasing demands of Malaysia’s automotive sector, this study provides timely and valuable insights for organizations, researchers, and policymakers seeking to drive sustainable employee performance through strategic people management initiatives