Potentials facilitators of workplace learning in a TPS based company

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 1004-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Jönsson ◽  
Tobias Schölin

Purpose – In line with the growing emphasis on workplace learning, there has been a tendency to abandon traditional Tayloristic models of work organization in favor of more humanistic, flexible and integrated work systems. This study focusses on facilitators of learning in a company that is based on the principles of Toyota production system (TPS). In this paper, the authors are focussing on one central aspect of the TPS, that is, workplace learning. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of empowering leadership, teamwork, innovative climate as facilitators of learning in this specific context. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaires (focussing on workplace learning, empowering leadership, teamwork and innovative climate) were distributed to 643 factory workers in the company Scania in Sweden. A total of 487 persons answered the questionnaire, which amounted to a response rate of 76 percent. Findings – The result indicates that empowering leadership was the best predictor, followed by teamwork and innovative climate. Originality/value – From this study, the authors can conclude that the already known predictors of learning can also be applied in a TPS setting. The key features in the TPS company constitute a foundation for learning.

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Johansson ◽  
Lena Abrahamsson

Purpose This paper aims to explore how gendering of the learning environment acts to shape the design and outcome of workplace learning. The primary intention is to reflect on the idea of gender-equal organizations as a prerequisite for workplace learning. Design/methodology/approach A review of literature relating to gender and workplace learning was conducted with the relation between gender-(un)equal organizations and the design and outcome of workplace learning as the focus of the analysis. This was followed by an analysis of the characteristics of an organization that promote both adoptive and developmental workplace learning. Findings The literature shows how the gendering of the learning environment acts to shape workplace learning, often by preventing development learning and limiting adoptive learning to already privileged groups. To facilitate development, workplace learning requires that organizations are guided by nuanced knowledge of work organization and strategically use workplace learning to challenge existing power relations; that they are not characterised by gender segregation; and that the presence and protection of gendered practices and identities do not dominate learning activities. Practical implications Stressing gender-equal organizations as a prerequisite for learning requires stakeholders to integrate a gender perspective in the design of workplace learning. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature considering workplace learning by highlighting how gender-equal organizations constitutes a prerequisite for workplace learning and in defining a few basic characteristics of such organizations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Grobert ◽  
Caroline Cuny ◽  
Marianela Fornerino

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of brand attachment and familiarity on perceived congruence between the logo and the brand. It explores the role of an under-researched factor, surprise, on perceived congruence in the case of a radical logo change. Design/methodology/approach A study was conducted with 220 students following a university logo change. Perceived congruence between the logos (old and new) and the school brand values was measured for two kinds of students, current and future (i.e. applicants). Findings Results show the importance of surprise in the acceptance of a logo change. Brand familiarity and brand attachment affect surprise in opposite ways, such that higher familiarity increases negative surprise, whereas higher attachment enhances positive surprise. Research limitations/implications This research used a school logo. Because schools represent a particular type of company, brand attachment to another type of brand could be different. The current model needs to be tested in different contexts. Practical implications Companies must pay special attention when communicating with their most attached consumers. In particular, companies that aim to change their logos must prepare for the change by relying on communications that can lead to positive surprise. Originality/value This study was conducted in a real context of logo change. It is the first study to focus on the link among familiarity, attachment and surprise when a radical logo change takes place within a company.


Author(s):  
David Green

Purpose Given its relative novelty, the field of people analytics remains rather obscure in terms of its success criteria. The purpose of this paper is to unveil some of the hidden secrets of people analytics. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the common characteristics of those companies who have already been successful with it in their operations to date. Findings These 16 best practices cover the role of the CHRO and the employees as well as HR’s general position within a company. Practical implications While not all of the 16 best practices need to be in place, incorporating a few of them will provide significant benefit to businesses and employees. Social implications While several of the best practices laid out in this paper directly impact personnel policies, they also all empower HR managers to be a force for good through optimised people analytics. Originality/value The paper presents a hitherto scattered set of best practices as forerunners in the novel field of people analytics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 1054-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Dymitrowski ◽  
Krzysztof Fonfara ◽  
Bartosz Deszczyński

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the role of a company’s external informal relationships in the internationalization process.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the aim of this paper, a qualitative research was undertaken. The data used for analysis were obtained through face-to-face interviews with representatives of 20 companies.FindingsThere are two main findings of the research. First, on the basis of the analysis of the interviews, it was possible to identify 14 different outcomes of informal relationships with external actors in the internationalization process. Second, the outcomes have been assigned to different stages of the internationalization process, thereby covering the whole range of a company’s development timeline.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates and confirms the important and positive role of the informal relationships developed by a company with external actors in the internationalization process and indicates that it can change over time depending on the stage of the internationalization.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 13-15

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the papers in context. Findings Do patents hinder open innovation and collaboration? The protective and secretive nature of the patent would suggest that it does. After all, if a company wants to hide or protect a product then, surely, they are unwilling to work with others? Holgersson and Granstrand (2017) look at the role of patents and the motives behind their applications to see if open innovation is being hindered. Ultimately, it seems, patents may stifle innovation to some degree, but the security that they provide actually encourages firms to collaborate with others. By removing the fear of intellectual theft or loss of revenue, patents free-up innovators to work with others to enlarge the market they have just created. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-94
Author(s):  
Sabina Siebert

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider whether a university‐based conception of learning in the workplace might bridge the differences that separate the critics and advocates of workplace learning promoted by trade unions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the role of work‐based learning in trade unions.FindingsFor trade unions the meaning of workplace learning is a contested area. Critics associate it with a corporate oriented policy of upskilling the workforce, premised on a simplified, firm‐specific notion of the human capital theory. In contrast, advocates of workplace learning promoted by trade unions consider it an opportunity to develop the basic and higher level skills of members while revitalising the movement. This paper proposes a way forward for union involvement in work‐based learning that tackles the concerns of radical trade unionists and fulfils the hopes of advocates, namely to work in collaboration with universities.Originality/valueThe literature on the role of trade unions in promoting workplace learning focuses on the tension between critics who challenge a unitarist and consensual view of learning, and advocates who believe that learning partnerships between employers and trade unions facilitate more conciliatory employment relations and create a positive learning environment for the members. This paper assumes a different perspective by proposing a way forward for union involvement in workplace learning, namely to work in collaboration with universities.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 5-7

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describes how a company with more than 7,000 employees around the world has earned international plaudits for retaining the feel of a family firm. Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines why the people strategy is so important at National Instruments and what this means in practice. Findings – This paper attributes the success of the company to its policies on recruitment, retention, employee development, incentives, benefits and communications. Practical implications – The role of the firm’s 100-year plan in guiding company decisions has been highlighted. It focuses on a long-term commitment to key stakeholders and supports the firm’s unwavering investment in its people. Social implications – The close involvement of the company in the communities where it is based and, in particular, its education initiatives aimed at producing more top-class scientists has been highlighted. Originality/value – This paper provides the inside story of the people strategy at a firm named among the USA’s 100 Best Companies for the 15th consecutive year.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 3-5

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper concentrates on the role of suppliers when aiming to create value in a company. Developing key supplier relationships by working toward shared success goals builds mutually beneficial value, which can drive long term growth from a win-win foundation. By viewing supply management strategically, new intangible assets can be built into a company’s operational culture, such as trust-based supplier relationship management skills. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-8
Author(s):  
Ian Cummins

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the recent National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) report on the role of the appropriate adult. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the NAAN report and a review of relevant policy and research literature. Findings There to Help 2 highlights that there are still significant gaps in the provision of appropriate adult schemes across England and Wales. These gaps potentially place vulnerable adults at increased risk. Originality/value This paper is a review of recent research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 730-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Cegarra-Sanchez ◽  
Juan-Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro ◽  
Anthony Wensley ◽  
Jose Diaz Manzano

Purpose Knowledge acquired from sources of unverified information such as gossip, partial truths or lies, in this paper it is termed as “counter-knowledge.” The purpose of this paper is to explore this topic through an exploration of the links between a Hospital-in-the-Home Units (HHUs) learning process (LP), counter-knowledge, and the utilization of communication technologies. The following two questions are addressed: Does the reduction of counter-knowledge result in the utilization of communication technologies? Does the development of counter-knowledge hinder the LP? Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the relevance of communication technologies to the exploration and exploitation of knowledge for 252 patients of a (HHU) within a Spanish regional hospital. The data collected was analyzed using the PLS-Graph. Findings To HHU managers, this study offers a set of guidelines to assist in their gaining an understanding of the role of counter-knowledge in organizational LPs and the potential contribution of communication technologies. Our findings support the proposition that the negative effects of counter-knowledge can be mitigated by using communication technologies. Originality/value It is argued in this paper that counter-knowledge may play a variety of different roles in the implementation of LPs. Specifically, the assignment of communication technologies to homecare units has given them the means to filter counter-knowledge and prevent users from any possible problems caused by such counter-knowledge.


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