Supervisors’ Roles in Training Program Culture, Training Intrinsic Motivation and Knowledge Transfer: an Empirical Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the mediating role of training intrinsic motivation in the relationship between supervisors’ roles in training program culture and knowledge transfer in the Malaysian public sector. Thus, the research question is, “what is the effect of the supervisors’ roles in training program culture, training intrinsic motivation on knowledge transfer in the public sector context?”
 
 Theoretical framework: The framework of the study is adopted from the attributes of (1) leadership, (2) social learning, (3) beliefs and (4) employee performance. This framework aims to provide an understanding of how these variables affect the supervisors’ roles in training program culture, intrinsic motivation and knowledge transfer.
 
 Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional study was used to collect 544 survey questionnaires from employees at different divisions/departments in the Malaysian public sector. The SmartPLS is utilized to evaluate the quality of the study’s instrument and subsequently test the study’s hypotheses.
 
 Findings: The structural equation modelling test indicated that knowledge transfer is affected by supervisors’ roles in training program culture. Hence, the effect of supervisors’ roles in the administration of training programs on knowledge transfer is mediated by training intrinsic motivation. This finding will benefit supervisors, managers and operation employees, as well as studies related to training intrinsic motivation in dynamic organizations.
 
 Research: In the theoretical context, this study confirmed that the training’s intrinsic motivation is an effective mediating variable in the relationship between supervisors’ roles in training program culture and knowledge transfer. Meanwhile, in the managerial implication, supervisors should provide direction and assistance to subordinates and practice open communication to help them enhance performance. A communication technique relevant to the work environment will help employees increase knowledge transfer and public sector performance in the future.
 
 Originality/value: This study is to refine the role of supervisors and create a culture of effective training in public sector culture. These findings should be considered by the public sector in the context of training programs.