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Developing a supportive learning environment in a newly formed organisation

journal contribution
posted on 2017-12-06, 00:00 authored by S Lancaster, Vitale Di MiliaVitale Di Milia
Purpose – The aim of this study was to examine the factors that employees perceived were important in creating a supportive learning environment in a recently merged organisation. The study provides rich qualitative data from the employees’ perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This case study used a qualitative phenomenological constructivist approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed with the aid of NVivo. The study was conducted in a large government-owned organisation in Australia and the sample consisted of 24 recent graduates of leadership development programs. Findings – The results suggested that together with the organisation’s leadership, there are several distinguishing characteristics of a learning environment. These include learning with colleagues, openness to new ideas and change, building relationships, open communication, sharing the learning, coaching and reflection. Providing support for managers to gain confidence and self-awareness was important to their ability to apply their learning. The results also suggest that learning with colleagues from different regional and functional areas helps to reform subcultures and contributes to an overarching learning culture and hence to creating a supportive learning environment. Some hindrances were also discovered. Originality/value – This study gives voice to employee perceptions of the important factors required to create a supportive learning environment. The authors used a qualitative methodology in a field dominated by quantitative studies to provide rich data that extends the extant literature.

History

Volume

27

Issue

6

Start Page

442

End Page

456

Number of Pages

15

eISSN

1758-7859

ISSN

1366-5626

Location

United Kingdom

Publisher

Emerald Group Publishing

Language

en-aus

Peer Reviewed

  • Yes

Open Access

  • No

External Author Affiliations

School of Business and Law (2013- ); TBA Research Institute;

Era Eligible

  • Yes

Journal

Journal of workplace learning.

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