Informal learning and career identity formation: the mediating role of work engagement

Ali Abadi, H; Coetzer, A; Roxas, HB; Pishdar, M

Informal learning and career identity formation: the mediating role of work engagement

Ali Abadi, H Coetzer, A Roxas, HB Pishdar, M

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Publisher:: Emerald
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Personnel Review, 2023, 52, (1), pp. 363-381
Issue Date:: 2023-02-20

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ali Abadi, H
dc.contributor.author	Coetzer, A
dc.contributor.author	Roxas, HB
dc.contributor.author	Pishdar, M
dc.date.accessioned	2023-03-09T06:01:49Z
dc.date.available	2023-03-09T06:01:49Z
dc.date.issued	2023-02-20
dc.identifier.citation	Personnel Review, 2023, 52, (1), pp. 363-381
dc.identifier.issn	0048-3486
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/166829
dc.description.abstract	<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title><jats:p>The aim of the study is to extend prior research on career identity formation by investigating whether individuals' participation in informal workplace learning activities positively relates to career identity. The study also examines whether work engagement significantly mediates the participation in informal learning and career identity relationship.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title><jats:p>Using data from a survey of 313 individuals in Iran, the study developed and tested measurement and structural models and employed partial least squares structural equation modelling to test the hypotheses.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title><jats:p>The findings suggest that work engagement substantially mediates the positive relationship between participation in informal learning and career identity. Furthermore, the learning potential of the workplace and the propensities of individuals to actively approach situations that provide them with opportunities to learn and seek feedback on their performance have positive although varying relations with levels of participation in informal learning.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Practical implications</jats:title><jats:p>Human resource management and career management specialists must be cognisant of the central role that employee participation in informal learning plays in strengthening their work engagement and career identity. Learning and development specialists should seek to create conditions in the work environment that are favourable to informal learning and work engagement.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title><jats:p>Although the role of formal development programmes in career identity formation is well documented, studies that examine links between participation in informal learning activities and career identity are very rare. Furthermore, there are no known studies that examine the potential mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between participation in informal learning activities and career identity.</jats:p></jats:sec>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Emerald
dc.relation.ispartof	Personnel Review
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1108/pr-02-2021-0121
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.This AAM is provided for your own personal use only. It may not be used for resale, reprinting, systematic distribution, emailing, or for any other commercial purpose without the permission of the publisher
dc.subject	1503 Business and Management, 1605 Policy and Administration, 1701 Psychology
dc.subject.classification	Industrial Relations
dc.title	Informal learning and career identity formation: the mediating role of work engagement
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	52
utslib.for	1503 Business and Management
utslib.for	1605 Policy and Administration
utslib.for	1701 Psychology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business/Management Discipline
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-03-09T06:01:48Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	52
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

PurposeThe aim of the study is to extend prior research on career identity formation by investigating whether individuals' participation in informal workplace learning activities positively relates to career identity. The study also examines whether work engagement significantly mediates the participation in informal learning and career identity relationship.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from a survey of 313 individuals in Iran, the study developed and tested measurement and structural models and employed partial least squares structural equation modelling to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe findings suggest that work engagement substantially mediates the positive relationship between participation in informal learning and career identity. Furthermore, the learning potential of the workplace and the propensities of individuals to actively approach situations that provide them with opportunities to learn and seek feedback on their performance have positive although varying relations with levels of participation in informal learning.Practical implicationsHuman resource management and career management specialists must be cognisant of the central role that employee participation in informal learning plays in strengthening their work engagement and career identity. Learning and development specialists should seek to create conditions in the work environment that are favourable to informal learning and work engagement.Originality/valueAlthough the role of formal development programmes in career identity formation is well documented, studies that examine links between participation in informal learning activities and career identity are very rare. Furthermore, there are no known studies that examine the potential mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between participation in informal learning activities and career identity.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/166829