Experiential learning in retrospect: a future organizational challenge?
Author
Summary, in English
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe a retrospective reflection over unconscious, emergent learning among employees of an organization and to suggest how to capture these moments of experiential learning for future organizational learning.
Methodology - Action research in organizations is undertaken in interaction with the employees of the organization studied. The outcome is characterized by a deep understanding of the individuals as well as of the courses of events in the system. This paper therefore applies action research, focusing on the experiential learning from daily actions in the case organization at Volvo Cars’ production plant in Sweden.
Findings – The conclusion is that an evolution toward a learning organization, as exemplified by the case studied, is not identified until after it actually happens, i.e. in retrospect. The competence build-up recognized in retrospect is suggested to become an integral part of future educational programs. The multidisciplinary competence established should also be considered when teams are set up for new projects.
Practical Implications - Future strategies for capturing learning are provided and summarized to: structure the capturing of learning as it takes place in the daily operation; identify the individuals who initiate changes and let them act as learning ambassadors; integrate multidisciplinary competencies in the early stages of projects; facilitate multidisciplinary cooperation along organizational processes, within and between firms.
Originality/value – The paper contributes with identification and reflection about emergent learning that takes place in daily work tasks and provides suggestions for future strategies of capturing these experiential learning occasions
Methodology - Action research in organizations is undertaken in interaction with the employees of the organization studied. The outcome is characterized by a deep understanding of the individuals as well as of the courses of events in the system. This paper therefore applies action research, focusing on the experiential learning from daily actions in the case organization at Volvo Cars’ production plant in Sweden.
Findings – The conclusion is that an evolution toward a learning organization, as exemplified by the case studied, is not identified until after it actually happens, i.e. in retrospect. The competence build-up recognized in retrospect is suggested to become an integral part of future educational programs. The multidisciplinary competence established should also be considered when teams are set up for new projects.
Practical Implications - Future strategies for capturing learning are provided and summarized to: structure the capturing of learning as it takes place in the daily operation; identify the individuals who initiate changes and let them act as learning ambassadors; integrate multidisciplinary competencies in the early stages of projects; facilitate multidisciplinary cooperation along organizational processes, within and between firms.
Originality/value – The paper contributes with identification and reflection about emergent learning that takes place in daily work tasks and provides suggestions for future strategies of capturing these experiential learning occasions
Department/s
Publishing year
2008
Language
English
Pages
431-442
Publication/Series
Journal of Workplace Learning
Volume
20
Issue
6
Full text
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Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Topic
- Other Mechanical Engineering
Keywords
- Organizational learning
- Logistics
- Action research
- Case study
- Experiential learning
- Packaging
- Packaging development
- Packaging logistics
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1366-5626