Abstract

This study aimed to examine the influence of intergenerational contact on work meaning through knowledge sharing. Additionally, based on the socioemotional selectivity theory, this study investigated whether age moderates the mediating path. We collected data from 588 full-time employees in South Korea, and analyzed the data using the latent moderated structural equation method. The results showed that knowledge sharing fully mediated the relationship between intergenerational contact and work meaning. Furthermore, age was found to moderate the relationship between intergenerational contact and work meaning via knowledge sharing. Particularly, the mediation effect was strengthened as age increased. This study holds a significant theoretical value by shedding light on the specific mechanisms underlying knowledge sharing. Moreover, the results suggest the potential for enhancing the impact of coaching programs by tailoring them to individual characteristics.