Interaction Between Perceived Organizational Support and Subjective Well-Being in Korean Society: Focusing on Cultural Characteristics and Mediating Effect

This study investigates the influence of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) on employees’ Subjective Well-Being (SWB), with a focus on the mediating effects of Work-Life Balance (WLB). The research examines how POS, categorized into emotional support and instrumental support, impacts SWB through three distinct WLB subdomains: work-family balance, work-leisure balance, and work-growth balance. POS, rooted in Social Exchange Theory, reflects the extent to which employees perceive their organization values their contributions and cares about their well-being. Emotional support refers to non-material aspects such as recognition and empathy, while instrumental support involves tangible resources and opportunities for professional growth. The findings reveal that emotional support significantly enhances SWB indirectly through work-family balance. Employees who perceive high levels of emotional support experience reduced role conflict between work and family, leading to improved family relationships and greater life satisfaction. Conversely, instrumental support plays a critical role in promoting SWB via work-growth balance. By providing resources for skill development and career advancement, organizations fulfill employees’ growth needs, which contributes to their overall well-being. Interestingly, the mediating effect of work-leisure balance was found to be limited in the Korean cultural context. The study highlights that collectivist values and work-centered norms in Korea diminish the influence of both emotional and instrumental support on leisure-related outcomes. This suggests that while employees benefit from organizational support in areas related to family and professional growth, they may not associate such support with leisure activities due to cultural expectations prioritizing work and family over personal leisure. The results underscore the importance of tailoring organizational strategies to cultural contexts. For instance, fostering emotional support can help employees achieve better work-family integration by reducing psychological barriers to utilizing organizational benefits. Meanwhile, enhancing instrumental support through career development programs can address employees’ aspirations for personal growth. However, organizations in Korea may need to reconsider how they design leisure-related policies to align with cultural norms while still addressing employee well-being. This study contributes theoretically by integrating POS with WLB and SWB frameworks, offering a comprehensive understanding of how organizational support influences employee well-being across different life domains. Practically, it provides actionable insights for organizations aiming to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity through targeted support strategies.