The impact of national culture in predicting informal learning behaviors
ISSN: 1366-5626
Article publication date: 26 July 2024
Issue publication date: 11 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of Hofstede’s six national cultural dimensions on informal learning behaviors (ILBs) and how they moderate the prediction of these behaviors by workplace interaction (WI), autonomy (WA) and readiness to learn (RtL).
Design/methodology/approach
Cultural scores were extracted from The Culture Factor Group in 2023. Data on ILBs and their antecedents were selected from a Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies sample of 59,103 workers – 33 Countries. The authors applied hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to analyze data.
Findings
None of those cultural dimensions had significant direct relationships with ILBs. The moderations were significant for power distance (ILBs with WA and RtL), individualism (ILBs with WI) and motivation toward achievement and success (ILBs with WA).
Research limitations/implications
The cultural dimensions were limited to Hofstede’s model, and scores at the country level did not consider individual perceptions of them. The results provide empirical evidence for solid theoretical development on the impact of national culture on informal learning and the development of public policies to promote it.
Originality/value
The authors are unaware of other studies that have quantitatively investigated relationships between ILBs and their antecedents and the cultural dimensions using HLM. Findings from different countries allow for better generalization and may provide directions for research and the expansion of the nomological network on the impact of national culture on ILBs.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The first author receives a doctoral scolarship from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF (Process No. PROEX 88887.484301/2020-00). The second author receives a research productivity fellowship (PQSr – 314055/2020-7) from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq.
Citation
Lucena Barbosa, F. and Borges-Andrade, J.E. (2024), "The impact of national culture in predicting informal learning behaviors", Journal of Workplace Learning, Vol. 36 No. 8, pp. 676-691. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-04-2024-0088
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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