Organizational Culture and Continuing Education and Training

In today’s economies, lifelong learning has emerged as a crucial driver of economic and social development and growth. However, Bulgaria lags behind other European nations in terms of participation in lifelong learning initiatives. This article delves into the factors that influence continuing education. A field study, involving over one hundred Bulgarian enterprises, revealed that organizational culture plays a pivotal role in shaping corporate investment decisions. Companies that prioritize human capital accumulation through strategic human resource development strategies and practices, and view learning as an essential asset tend to exhibit higher levels of both participation and intensity in lifelong learning programs. These findings align with institutional theory according to which organizational culture significantly impacts investments in lifelong learning. Thus, the paper has significant practical implications for policies related to continuing education and training.