Organizational justice and work engagement of public service workers and general workers in South Korea: moderating role of supportive learning environment

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement, to discover the moderating effect of the supportive learning environment on the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement, and to determine whether there is a difference in moderating effect for general workers and public service workers. Design/methodology/approach – The authors collected data by surveying a public enterprise’s general and public service workers in South Korea. A total of 300 responses were used for analysis. The hypothesized relationships were tested using correlation, regression, and moderating effect analysis. Findings – Organizational justice had a statistically significant positive effect on work engagement. At the sub-factor level, distributive and procedural justice positively affected work engagement. Further, the supportive learning environment did not moderate the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement. However, organizational support, a sub-factor of the supportive learning environment, moderated the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement. Finally, the moderating effect of the supportive learning environment on the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement was insignificant for both general and public service workers. Originality/value – From the human resource development (HRD) standpoint, this paper emphasized the importance of creating supportive learning environments in integrating large groups of new employees into the organizational structures and culture. Highlighting that public service workers perceived organizational justice as lower than general workers, the study provided insights into future organizational strategies for accommodating these workers. It is particularly meaningful in that it was the first attempt at studying the difference between general and public service workers after integrating public service workers in South Korea. The findings can inform practice beyond the South Korean context, particularly the countries where similar labor market dualisms exist.