Organizational learning and sustainability in Nigerian public sector organizations: Is resilience a missing link?

This study addresses a notable void in the fields of human resource management and organizational studies, aiming to elucidate the intricate relationship between organizational learning (OL) and organizational sustainability (OSUS) within the context of public sector organizations (PSOs) in Nigeria. The primary objective is to investigate the direct impact of OL on OSUS while exploring the underlying mechanism of organizational resilience (ORES) as a mediator in this dynamic relationship. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive research design was implemented, utilizing cross-sectional surveys administered to a diverse sample of 348 participants over an extensive six-month data collection period. Employing a rigorous analytical approach, specifically Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) facilitated by the advanced software tool Smart-PLS, the hypothesized associations were rigorously scrutinized. The results of the analysis reveal compelling insights into the interplay between OL, ORES, and OSUS within Nigerian PSOs. Notably, the findings underscore a robust and positive predictive relationship between organizational learning and organizational sustainability, affirming the pivotal role of OL in fostering sustainable organizational practices. Furthermore, the study illuminates the direct and significant connections between OL and ORES, as well as between ORES and OSUS, highlighting the multifaceted nature of organizational resilience as a critical determinant of sustainability outcomes. Of particular significance is the identification of organizational resilience as a potent mediator in the link between OL and OSUS, underscoring its indispensable role in bolstering sustainability initiatives within public sector entities. These findings carry profound implications for organizational leaders and policymakers, emphasizing the imperative of cultivating resilient organizational cultures and fostering continuous learning environments to enhance sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Ultimately, this study contributes valuable insights to the scholarly discourse on organizational dynamics, offering novel perspectives on the complex interrelationships between OL, ORES, and OSUS in the unique context of Nigerian PSOs.