Employee trainers’ self-efficacy and performance: the mediating role of trainer preparation

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to examine the mediating role of trainer preparation in the effect employee trainer self-efficacy has on trainer performance. Design/methodology/approach Using a census, data was collected from internal employee trainers in two universities in Ghana. In testing the hypotheses, a structural equation modelling based on 10,000 bootstrap samples was used, and the BCa confidence intervals were used to establish the significance of the hypotheses. Findings This study revealed trainer preparation as a complementary partial mediator in the effect trainee engagement self-efficacy and instruction self-efficacy had on trainer performance. In addition, the importance–performance map analyses demonstrated that the factor with the most importance in the model was instruction self-efficacy, yet it was not the highest-performing factor. Originality/value This study highlights the mediating role played by preparation in the effect of trainer self-efficacy on trainer performance. In addition, it adds to the dearth of studies that focus on employee trainers while at the same time using data from the trainers themselves.