Bridging perceived organizational support with learning motivation and work engagement: the mediating role of focus on opportunity.

Abstract

Perceived Organizational Support (POS) represents the extent to which employees believe their organization values their contributions and well-being. While higher POS is associated with increased work engagement and learning motivation, the intricacies of this relationship, especially the mediation by Occupational Future Time Perspective (OFTP), are not well understood. We conducted an online survey of 2,046 working individuals aged 20-69 to assess the relationships between POS and two outcome variables, Learning Goal Orientation (LGO), and work engagement with multiple regression analyses for all ages and in the younger age group (under 45). Then, the mediating effects of Focus on Opportunity (FOO) - a primary component of OFTP- on these relationships were examined. Of 2046 participants, 887 were younger than 45 years old. Younger participants, predominantly more educated and inclined towards professional jobs, exhibited higher LGO but lower work engagement compared to their older counterparts. POS showed positive correlations with LGO, and FOO significantly mediated the relationship, especially in the young group. Furthermore, a positive relationship between POS and work engagement was noted, with FOO as a partial mediator. POS correlates positively with both LGO and work engagement across various age demographics, with FOO critically mediating this relationship. To enhance employee engagement and learning motivation, organizations should emphasize bolstering both POS and FOO.