The role of affective commitment on the relationship between human resource management practices and informal workplace learning

• Published in: Higher education, skills and work-based learning Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 487 - 507
• Main Authors: Khandakar, Md Shariful Alam, Pangil, Faizuniah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bingley Emerald Publishing Limited 27.04.2021; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Behavioral Objectives; Curricula; Educational Environment; Employees; Human resource management; Human Resources; Incidental Learning; Independent study; Informal Education; Knowledge; Knowledge sharing; Learning activities; Learning Processes; Performance management; Teaching Methods; Workplace Learning; Human resource management practices; Affective commitment; Informal workplace learning
• ISSN: 2042-3896; 2042-390X
• DOI: 10.1108/HESWBL-01-2020-0004

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the mediation effect of affective commitment on the relationship between human resource management practices and informal workplace learning.Design/methodology/approachThis paper develops a conceptual framework along with propositions by integrating comprehensive literatures, in the field of human resource management, affective commitment and informal workplace learning. Through the review of detail literature and based on the situated learning theory (Lave and Wenger, 1991) and organizational support theory (Eisenberger et al., 1986; Rhoades and Eisenberger, 2002; – and Eisenberger, 2006), it is proposed that eight human resource practices could affect informal workplace learning. Moreover, it is also argued that affective commitment could mediate the relationship between HRM practices and informal workplace learning.FindingsThis paper provides a conceptual framework on human resource management practices and informal workplace learning which is mediated by affective commitment.Originality/valueNone of the models presented in the literature details the mediation of affective commitment on the relationship between human resource management practices and informal workplace learning which is mediated by affective commitment as indeed the most recent research on the subject envisages.