ESP-3459

Published

2025-07-25

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 7 (2025): Published

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Rui Yang

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How to Cite

Yang, R. (2025). Environmental and social psychological perspectives on training system optimization: A case study of knowledge workers in engineering consulting. Environment and Social Psychology, 10(7), ESP-3459. https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i7.3459

Environmental and social psychological perspectives on training system optimization: A case study of knowledge workers in engineering consulting

Rui Yang

College of Business Administration, University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City, Philippines


DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i7.3459


Keywords: training systems; engineering consulting; knowledge workers; environmental factors; social psychological factors; self-efficacy; professional identity; training transfer

Abstract

This study examines how environmental and social psychological factors influence training effectiveness for knowledge workers in engineering consulting firms. Using mixed-methods research with surveys (n=200) and interviews (n=12) at a leading Chinese engineering consulting firm, the research investigates six key factors: physical environment, organizational environment, social environment, self-efficacy, social identity, and psychological safety. Structural equation modeling reveals organizational environment as the strongest predictor (β = 0.43, p < 0.001), followed by psychological safety (β = 0.33, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (β = 0.29, p < 0.001). The model explains 59% of variance in training effectiveness. The study identifies significant interaction effects, particularly between social environment and psychological safety (β = 0.23, p < 0.01), and a compensatory mechanism where professional identity moderates organizational support (β = -0.16, p < 0.05). These interactions explain an additional 6% of variance beyond main effects. Findings demonstrate that training effectiveness depends on complex interdependencies between environmental conditions and psychological processes rather than isolated influences. The research provides evidence-based strategies for engineering consulting firms to optimize training systems by prioritizing organizational support while creating synergistic interventions addressing both social learning environments and psychological safety, contributing to training effectiveness theory and professional development practices in knowledge-intensive industries.

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