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Purpose: Based on trait activation theory, the purpose of the present study is to explore the relationship between the antecedents and outcomes of informal learning with the moderating effect of supervisor feedback environment (SFE) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach: Data (n = 388) were gathered from middle managers of Pakistan's SME sector by following the purposive sampling technique. The proposed model was examined by means of structural equation modeling analysis with AMOS 24. Findings: The study results delineate that middle managers with high-level self-efficacy and motivation to learn more actively participate in informal learning activities. The study also found that the SFE is a strong contextual moderator between the nexus of personal factors and informal learning. In addition, informal learning also has significant and positive effect on work engagement.

Practical implications: Human resource practitioners and organizational leaders of small businesses can use informal learning to improve employees' skills and knowledge with less cost. For instance, management should use different strategies to enhance the effectiveness of informal learning by providing SFE. Originality/value: There are numerous recent calls for research to ascertain the interaction of individual, contextual factors and outcomes of informal learning. The study addresses these voids by empirically examining antecedents and outcomes of informal learning simultaneously through the person–situation interaction perspective. It demonstrates that informal learning at the workplace becomes more effective in SFE.

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Confronted with the rapid technological changes and increased global competition, training of employees now focused on self-directed development (SDD). Despite the recognition of self-directed development, only few empirical studies have investigated the combined relationship of both predictors and outcomes simultaneously. This research attempted to develop and test a conceptual model of SDD, which includes both individual and contextual factors as predictors and outcomes, following an input-process-output perspective. The model was validated through SEM analysis from a sample of 383 working business students.

In general, results indicate that SDD is a mix of both individual and contextual factors that lead to positive outcomes. The findings offer new insights into the way organizations can improve employee development through SDD. However, unexpected findings were also noted. Job autonomy has an insignificant relationship, whereas empowerment and proactive personality were weakly associated with SDD.

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