The moderating effect of the supportive learning environment on the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement: Differences between public service workers and general workers in South Korea

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement, to discover the moderating effect of the supportive learning environment on the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement, and to determine whether there is a difference in moderating effect for general workers and public service workers. The data were collected by surveying general and public service workers of a public enterprise in South Korea. The hypothesized relationships were tested using correlation, regression, and moderating effect analysis. The results are as follows. First, organizational justice had a statistically significant effect on work engagement. Distributive justice and procedural justice positively affected work engagement among the sub-factors of organizational justice. Second, there was no moderating effect of the supportive learning environment on the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement. However, there was a moderating effect of organizational support, a sub-factor of the supportive learning environment, on the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement. Third, it was found that the moderating effect of the supportive learning environment was insignificant for both general and public service workers on the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement. Based on these results, we suggested that organizations establish a reasonable compensation system and create organized information-sharing opportunities to strengthen organizational justice. Also, to demonstrate their interest in employees' development, we recommended that organizations provide training programs, resources, and rewards to their employees. Finally, we proposed several areas for HRD scholars to explore in future studies.