The Impact of Communication in Organizations on Organizational Commitment: The Mediating Role of Informal Learning

The purpose of this study was to empirically examine the impact of communication in organizations on employees’ organizational commitment, with particular attention to the mediating role of informal learning. Specifically, it focused on the process by which communication enhances informal learning, which in turn strengthens organizational commitment. To achieve this purpose, data from the HCCP of the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training were utilized, and responses from 10,759 employees were analyzed to examine the structural relationships among communication, informal learning, and organizational commitment. The results revealed three major findings. First, smoother communication was associated with higher levels of informal learning among employees. Second, more active communication fostered stronger organizational commitment. Third, informal learning not only had a positive effect on organizational commitment but also partially mediated the relationship between communication and organizational commitment. These findings suggest that communication in organizations promotes employees’ organizational commitment directly, while also exerting an indirect positive effect through informal learning.