Knowledge-Based E-Learning in Virtual Enterprises

Author(s):  
Ana C. Andrés del Valle

Virtual enterprises, like their traditional counterparts, face the challenge of surviving in an ever evolving market. Virtual enterprises are characterized by their distributed nature. Processes and resources are assigned over a network of specialized enterprises. Their survival is dependent on individual performances as well as the performance of the global network. Knowledge is the most valuable resource in adapting to technological change. Sainz (2002) clearly states it saying: the human capital is not only a factor utilized for goods production but also the agent that generates and implements the technological change in a company. So managing this “human capital” involves understanding their capabilities (knowledge) and fostering their technical skills (training) (Allee, 1997). This paper develops the concept of knowledge-based e-learning. We will go over the basics of e-learning and will offer the reader some of the latest joint knowledge- management/e-learning strategies to ensure high performance by virtual enterprises.

Author(s):  
Karim A. Remtulla

This chapter raises a socio-cultural critique of the ‘dehumanizing ideologies’ workplace e-learning scenario. Dehumanizing ideologies operationalize the workforce in the workplace through strategic priorities, value chains, and business processes. The workplace e-learning scenario of dehumanizing ideologies precipitates around the instantiation of three concepts: information and communication technologies (ICTs), knowledge, and commodification. An exploratory case study looks at Human Capital Theory. The basic assumptions on economics, knowledge, and people which permeate and sustain this socio-economic view are questioned. These pursuits result in a dichotomous worker (when people are considered as capital and, as such, separable from their knowledges). Unquestioned, socio-cultural assumptions and consequences now facing and evaluating the workforce also become known as are the pedagogical outcomes of a workplace e-learning that is interpreted by human capital theory and its concomitant ideologies. Socio-cultural insensitivity from workplace e-learning, in this scenario, comes from the basic, unquestioned assumption that workers are essentially socially flawed and culturally inferior; accountable for overcoming their sociocultural flaws and inferiorities; and, need to be operationalized by workplace e-learning, through strategic priorities, value chains, and business processes, to meet the expectations of the infallible and commodified workplace. The recurring confluence of commerce, technology, and government, all now become visible as they ideologically mould global, knowledgebased economic policies which in turn influence local knowledge management practices and apparatuses. Organizations that wish to participate in global, knowledge-based economies readily comply. Workplace e-learning now becomes another ideological instrument for the ideological pursuits of commodified knowledges from an operationalized and dehumanized subject within 21st century organizations.


Author(s):  
Ana Maria R. Correia ◽  
Anabela Sarmento

The development and promotion of the strategic goal of the European Union to become a competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy and society (Lisbon European Council, 2000) can only be achieved with the relevant technological infrastructures together with people equipped with the necessary skills and competences (European Commission, 2002). As stated in the European Council (2005, p. 7), “human capital is the most important asset for Europe.” This human capital must be supported by a well-structured initial education, constantly updated by a continuous lifelong learning program, so that people can face the challenges of a series of new jobs, maybe separated by spells of shortterm contracts or even unemployment. This continuous education program should be available to all citizens, regardless of their age and social or economic status.


Author(s):  
Célia Quintas ◽  
Ana Luísa Teixeira ◽  
Isabel Fernandes Silva ◽  
Jane Rodrigues Duarte

Knowledge management and learning are buzzwords in today’s society, both in terms of company competitiveness as well as in terms of education. Human resources are thus a priority for individuals and companies. The concept of knowledge management and of learning organizations has been object of increased interest by managers and scholars. The increased focus on these issues brings forth the individual as a crucial element in this process; individuals become key elements in competitiveness (Nonaka & Takeuchi: 1995) and protagonists of their own learning process (Senge: 1992).Additionally, the learning methodologies and strategies have also changed in the past decades, so that currently much is offered by means of b-learning and e-learning courses that, on the one hand, allow students to opt for several learning strategies, and on the other hand, require them to actively participate in their learning path. In fact, the evolution of ICT in studies and the growing experience of both teachers and students have gradually adapted to new methodologies. However, while materials and subject matter have been made easier and more accessible to students who do not attend classroom sessions, an underlying problem has always been present: bridging the physical distance among all the stakeholders involved in the learning process and all the difficulties that may emerge from this.Since its first edition in 2001, this Post-Graduation Program, now in its 12th edition, has undergone several changes, from its study plan to learning regime. As a means of responding to the demands of today’s market and in particular new learning styles, new possibilities have been made for attending the course which range from classroom, to blending and e-learning formats. As a means of fostering group spirit, synchronous and asynchronous participation of all students several changes were introduced this academic year. Besides the use of the Moodle platform, a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) wiziq has been introduced.In 2013-14, the program includes students from Portugal (including the Azores), Mexico and Nigeria. Moreover, this Post-Graduation Program allows students to opt for f2f, b-learning and e-learning regimes, i.e., within the same group, some students attend classes by means of a VLE, others attend some classes f2f and others using the VLE and others attend f2f classes regularly, though they also have access to the VLE. A program that combines three learning approaches/methodologies/strategies allows the possibility of assessing possible differences in terms of efficiency of these three learning methodologies, considering that these imply a change in expectations, attitude and cognitive process.Our paper focuses on a study carried out in a Post-Graduation Program at a Portuguese university, on perceived satisfaction regarding the use of ICT tools in the program, a theme which has already been object of study at UAL in recent years, both in terms of assessing and monitoring learning progress, of learner attitude toward their learning paths (Fernandes Silva & Rodrigues Duarte. 2011a & b) and the tools and methodologies made available to them and of perceived satisfaction (Fernandes Silva & Quintas: 2013).This paper corresponds to a 1st stage of a broader study that will involve all students in the referred program in 2013-14 as well as all the lecturers. Initially, a qualitative analysis is carried out based on semi-structured interviews; at a 2nd stage, we aim to create a questionnaire to be applied to a wider population.


Akademika ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (01) ◽  
pp. 81-100
Author(s):  
Eva Kristiyani ◽  
Iffah Budiningsih

The aim of this research is to know the influence of e-learning learning strategy and interest in learning to accounting learning result. This research was conducted at SMK Permata Bangsa Kelurahan Jakasetia, South Bekasi Subdistrict, Bekasi City involving 56 samples taken with random sampling technique to the equivalent class. Instrument used in this research is the accounting test and questionnaire interest in student learning; and the data analysis using two-way ANAVA and Tukey Test. The results of this study obtained: (1) there is a significant difference between the learning outcomes of students who are taught with e-learning learning strategies and expository strategies in which the results of student accounting learning taught by e-learning strategy is higher than the students taught by strategy expository learning. (2) There is an interaction between students who are taught using learning strategies with interest in learning on accounting learning outcomes. (3) This means that the result of group accounting learning which is taught using e-learning learning strategy is significantly higher than that taught using expository learning strategy in students who have high learning interest. (4) While the learning result of student group accounting that is taught using e-learning strategy is same as learning result which is taught using expository learning strategy to students who have low learning interest, influenced by student environment factor and learning design factor in research.


Author(s):  
Arti Awasthi

India has gradually evolved as knowledge based economy due to the abundance of capable, flexible and qualified human capital. With the constantly rising influence of globalization, India has immense opportunities to establish its distinctive position in the world. However, there is a need to further develop and empower the human capital to ensure the nations global competitiveness. Despite the empathetic stress laid on education and training in this country, there is still a shortage of skilled manpower to address the mounting needs and demands of the economy. Skill building can be viewed as an instrument to improve the effectiveness and contribution of labor to the overall production. It is as an important ingredient to push the production possibility frontier outward and to take growth rate of the economy to a higher trajectory. This paper focuses on skill development in Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) which contribute nearly 8 percent of the country's GDP, 45 percent of the manufacturing output and 40 percent of the exports. They provide the largest share of employment after agriculture. They are the nurseries for entrepreneurship and innovation. SMEs have been established in almost all-major sectors in the Indian industry. The main assets for any firm, especially small and medium sized enterprises are their human capital. This is even more important in the knowledge based economy, where intangible factors and services are of growing importance. The rapid obsolescence of knowledge is a key factor of the knowledge economy. However, we also know that for a small business it is very difficult to engage staff in education and training in order to update and upgrade their skills within continuous learning approach. Therefore there is a need to innovate new techniques and strategies of skill development to develop human capital in SME's.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-386
Author(s):  
Seung Ho Park ◽  
Gerardo R. Ungson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to uncover the underlying drivers of sustained high performing companies based on a field study of 127 companies in Brazilian, Russian, Indian and Chinese (BRIC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emerging markets. Understanding these companies provides a complementary way of appraising the growth, development and transformation of emerging markets. The authors synthesize the findings in an overarching framework that covers six strategies for building and sustaining legacy that leads to the succession of intergenerational wealth over time: overcoming institutional voids, inclusive markets, deepening localization, nurturing government support, building core competencies and harnessing human capital. The authors relate these strategies to different levels of development using Prahalad and Hart’s BOP framework. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the underlying drivers of sustained high-performance companies based on field studies from an initial set of 105,260 BRIC companies and close to 500 companies in ASEAN. The methods employed four screening tests to arrive at a selection of the highest-performing firms: 70 firms in the BRIC nations and 58 firms from ASEAN. Following the selection, the authors constructed cases using primary interviews and secondary data, with the assistance of Ernst & Young and with academic colleagues in Manila. These studies were originally conducted in two separate time periods and reported accordingly. This paper synthesizes the findings of these two studies to arrive at an extended integrative framework. Findings From the cases, the authors examine six strategies for building and sustaining legacy that lead to high performance over time: overcoming institutional voids, creating inclusive markets, deepening localization, nurturing government support, building core competencies and harnessing human capital. To address the evolving state of institutional voids in these countries, the authors employ similar methods to hypothesize the placement of these strategies in the context of the world economic pyramid, initially formulated as the “bottom of the pyramid” framework. Originality/value This paper synthesizes and extends the authors’ previous works by proposing the concept of legacy to describe the emergence and succession of local exemplary firms in emerging markets. This study aims to complement extant measures of nation-growth based primarily on GDP. The paper also extends the literature on institutional voids in shifting the focus from the mix of voids to their evolving state. Altogether, the paper provides a complementary narrative on assessing the market potential of emerging markets by adopting several categories of performance.


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