The Effect of Formal Education, Informal Education, and Self-Directed Learning on Job Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of HRD Communication

Abstract

Although workplace education can be divided into several categories, this study classifies education into formal education, informal education, and self-directed learning (SDL) according to the classification provided in Baskett (1993). To date, individual research has been conducted on formal education, informal education, and SDL. Although there have been disparate studies for each education type, there is insufficient research on the interaction between them. Hence, it is important to not only identify the education types individually but also compare the three different types of workplace education, which are the most commonly observed among companies, to ascertain the most effective education type. Thus, the necessity of research on the influence of each type of education on job satisfaction is evident. In addition, research on employee job satisfaction on the basis of their communication with the human resource (HR) department, facilitating these three types of education, is also essential. Therefore, to achieve the purpose of this study, formal education, informal education, and SDL were considered as independent variables

job satisfaction was considered as a dependent variable, and HRD communication was considered as a moderating variable. This study conducted two studies. In Study 1, hierarchical linear modeling was used with a survey of 450 companies and 10,005 employees belonging to the Human Capital Corporate Panel. The results of Study 1 are as follows. First, formal education, informal education, and SDL have positive effects on job satisfaction. Second, if employees and HR departments actively communicate, SDL has a stronger effect on job satisfaction. In Study 2, multiple regression analysis was employed along with a questionnaire survey of 174 employees in Ulsan. The results of Study 2 are as follows. First, formal education and SDL have positive effects on job satisfaction. Second, informal education has a negative effect on job satisfaction. Third, HRD communication weakens the relationship between SDL and job satisfaction. Further, this study discussed the impact of each education type on employee job satisfaction and which among these education types strongly influenced job satisfaction.

Keyword: workplace education, formal education, informal education, self-directed learning, job satisfaction, HRD communication