HRM and organizational learning in knowledge economy: investigating the impact of happiness at work (HAW) on organizational learning capability (OLC)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the main antecedents of happiness at work (HAW) as a main driver of organi‑ zational learning capabilities (OLC) among academic staf working in Egyptian private universities. The mediating role of HAW between these drivers like Work–Life Balance (WLB) and Recognition from one side and OLC on the other side has also been evaluated. A survey-based research strategy has been adopted. A survey of 207 academic staf employ‑ ees working in Egyptian private universities was conducted to test the direct efects of the hypothesized relationships. The fndings of this study supported the hypotheses that recognition has signifcant positive total efect on OLC and partially through the mediating efect of HAW among academic staf at Egyptian private universities. In addition, WLB also was found to have a signifcant positive total efect on OLC and partially through the mediating efect of HAW. Finally, it was concluded that HAW has a signifcant positive total efect on OLC and partially mediates the Recogni‑ tion-OLC and WLB-OLC links. Accordingly, this research provides crucial and major implications for both HR profes‑ sionals and the top management of Egyptian private universities through considering factors like recognition and WBS while designing an efective total reward system that reinforces the overall organizational learning capabilities in the emerging markets context.