Experiential learning in retrospect: a future organizational challenge?
Olsson, Annika LU
; Bjöörn, Urban
and Jönson, Gunilla
LU
(2008)
In Journal of Workplace Learning
20(6).
p.431-442
- Abstract
- 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... (More) - 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 (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/1148145
- author
- Olsson, Annika
LU
; Bjöörn, Urban
and Jönson, Gunilla
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2008
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Organizational learning, Logistics, Action research, Case study, Experiential learning, Packaging, Packaging development, Packaging logistics
- in
- Journal of Workplace Learning
- volume
- 20
- issue
- 6
- pages
- 431 - 442
- publisher
- Emerald Group Publishing Limited
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:50249091047
- ISSN
- 1366-5626
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- ca2bcd66-bb61-4ae3-aada-fd39ef1c4cdb (old id 1148145)
- alternative location
- http://info.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?PHPSESSID=dipu49m50jefjqb4irl18mink3&id=jwl
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 14:04:48
- date last changed
- 2022-01-27 22:44:32
@article{ca2bcd66-bb61-4ae3-aada-fd39ef1c4cdb,
abstract = {{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.<br/><br>
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.<br/><br>
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.<br/><br>
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.<br/><br>
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}},
author = {{Olsson, Annika and Bjöörn, Urban and Jönson, Gunilla}},
issn = {{1366-5626}},
keywords = {{Organizational learning; Logistics; Action research; Case study; Experiential learning; Packaging; Packaging development; Packaging logistics}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{6}},
pages = {{431--442}},
publisher = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
series = {{Journal of Workplace Learning}},
title = {{Experiential learning in retrospect: a future organizational challenge?}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/3764184/2536899.pdf}},
volume = {{20}},
year = {{2008}},
}