Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the structural relationship between the possibility of socioeconomic class elevation of wage earners, happiness and organizational commitment, and life satisfaction. Research design, data and methodology: Data from the 24th fiscal year (2021) of the Korea Labor Panel data were used for analysis. Only wage earners who measured job satisfaction and organizational engagement were analyzed, and a sample of 9,138 respondents was finally used, excluding missing values. Structural Equation Modeling was performed using AMOS 23.0, and Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) was used as a model estimation method. Results: First, the hypothetical structural model set up for the study was found to be suitable. Second, the Possibility of Socioeconomic Class Elevation of wage earners, happiness, and organizational commitment were found to have a direct impact on life satisfaction. Third, the possibility of improving the socio-economic status of wage earners affects life satisfaction, and happiness and organizational commitment appear to have a partially mediating effect. Conclusions: This study is significant in that it has increased interest in organizational participation and life satisfaction, which were not covered in previous studies on the possibility of wage workers moving up the socioeconomic class.