The fundamental role of social support in cultivating motivation to improve work through learning

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of the relationship between social support (organizational, supervisor, and co-worker support) and the higher-order construct of motivation in human resource development (HRD), namely motivation to improve work through learning (MTIWL). Design/methodology/approach Self-reported data were collected from 131 public service employees who had attended management training programs organized by one of the Malaysian public service training providers. Findings Support emanating from the organization, supervisor, and co-worker had exerted positive and significant influences on MTIWL. Further, organizational support had the strongest relationship with MTIWL, relative to supervisor and co-worker support. Practical implications There is a need to extend the responsibility and proficiency of the organization, supervisor, and co-worker in providing practical support in training and workplace contexts to further enhance MTIWL. Originality/value This paper provides a better understanding of the influences of social support on a more practical and comprehensive trainee motivation in HRD, which is MTIWL.