Beyond Rules: A Comparative View on Work Discipline Practices in Public and Private Workplaces

Abstract

This study aims to compare the implementation and perception of work discipline between a private-sector company and a public-sector institution in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research explores how disciplinary systems operate, how leadership influences compliance, and how employees respond to enforcement in both organizational settings. Data was collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis, then analyzed using thematic and cross-case comparison methods. The results reveal that while both organizations recognize the importance of discipline, their enforcement strategies differ significantly. The private organization adopts a flexible and immediate approach supported by technology and managerial discretion but lacks structured reward mechanisms. In contrast, the public institution follows formal regulations with a clear procedural framework but faces challenges in day-to-day monitoring and enforcement. Both contexts demonstrate the critical role of leadership, internal culture, and perceived fairness in shaping disciplinary outcomes. This study contributes to the human resource management literature by highlighting how work discipline is not solely a matter of regulation but also a function of organizational behavior and employee perception. It offers practical recommendations for designing discipline systems that are procedurally sound, contextually adaptive, and human centered.