The effects of learning goal orientation, developmental needs awareness and self-directed learning on career satisfaction in the Korean public sector

Abstract

This study examines the effects of learning goal orientation and developmental needs awareness and self-directed learning on career satisfaction of 291 employees in the Korean public sector. Based on structural equation modelling analysis, we found that learning goal orientation and developmental needs awareness accounted for 55% of the variance in self-directed learning and that the three antecedents explained 14% of the variance in career satisfaction. Developmental needs awareness fully mediated the relationship between learning goal orientation and career satisfaction. Learning goal orientation and developmental needs awareness had significant effects on self-directed learning. Contrary to widely held beliefs, however, the relationship between self-directed learning and career satisfaction turned out to be non-significant in the Korean public sector, where career mobility is low and learning/performance-focussed culture and human resources practices are limited.