Publication: Facilitators of informal learning in the workplace: the case of two cooperatives in the machine tool sector
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2020
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Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales. Escuela de Estudios Cooperativos
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Abstract
In recent years, interest in informal learning in the workplace has intensified, with organizations being concerned about ways through which workers learn in the workplace beyond the knowledge acquired through formal learning. Every day at the workplace, a series of lessons can be learnt through colleague interaction, in addition to another series of elements that act as a catalyst to enhance workers’ learning and knowledge. A qualitative approximation method was selected for this study. Furthermore, 16 in-depth interviews were conducted with employees with different responsibilities and from different organizational areas. The study results describe the manner in which learning occurs in the workplace and employees’ perception of different elements that act as catalysts to enhance their learning. While numerous elements specific to the job position held by employees are indicated, learning in the workplace responds to a model based on three pillars: a flexible worker with skills to perform tasks requiring constant adaptation to respond to unexpected events and problem solving; an organization that provides spaces for interaction, such as team meetings, to address difficulties; and a competitive environment marked by technological innovation and customer demand that fosters learning.
En los últimos años se han intensificado el interés por el aprendizaje informal en el lugar de trabajo, siendo la preocupación por parte de las organizaciones conocer cómo los trabajadores aprenden en su lugar de trabajo más allá de los conocimientos adquiridos en el aprendizaje formal. Cada día en su lugar de trabajo se producen una serie de aprendizajes fruto de la interacción entre los compañeros, pero también otra serie de elementos que ejercen una función catalizadora de ese aprendizaje que de manera latente actúan sobre el aprendizaje y el conocimiento de los trabajadores. Para este estudio se seleccionó una aproximación cualitativa. Se realizaron 16 entrevistas en profundidad a empleados de diferentes áreas organizacionales y con diferentes responsabilidades. Emergieron diferentes resultados que fueron describiendo cómo se produce el aprendizaje en el lugar de trabajo y cómo los empleados perciben diferentes elementos que actúan de catalizadores de su aprendizaje. Si bien se reflejan una serie de elementos propios del puesto de trabajo que ocupan los empleados, el aprendizaje en el lugar de trabajo responde a un modelo basado en 3 pilares: un trabajador flexible con habilidades para enfrentarse a tareas que exigen una adaptación constante para responder a eventos inesperados y resolución de problemas; una organización que posibilita espacios de interacción como las reuniones de equipo donde poder afrontar las dificultades y; por último; un entorno competitivo marcado por la innovación tecnológica y la exigencia de un cliente que estimula al aprendizaje.
En los últimos años se han intensificado el interés por el aprendizaje informal en el lugar de trabajo, siendo la preocupación por parte de las organizaciones conocer cómo los trabajadores aprenden en su lugar de trabajo más allá de los conocimientos adquiridos en el aprendizaje formal. Cada día en su lugar de trabajo se producen una serie de aprendizajes fruto de la interacción entre los compañeros, pero también otra serie de elementos que ejercen una función catalizadora de ese aprendizaje que de manera latente actúan sobre el aprendizaje y el conocimiento de los trabajadores. Para este estudio se seleccionó una aproximación cualitativa. Se realizaron 16 entrevistas en profundidad a empleados de diferentes áreas organizacionales y con diferentes responsabilidades. Emergieron diferentes resultados que fueron describiendo cómo se produce el aprendizaje en el lugar de trabajo y cómo los empleados perciben diferentes elementos que actúan de catalizadores de su aprendizaje. Si bien se reflejan una serie de elementos propios del puesto de trabajo que ocupan los empleados, el aprendizaje en el lugar de trabajo responde a un modelo basado en 3 pilares: un trabajador flexible con habilidades para enfrentarse a tareas que exigen una adaptación constante para responder a eventos inesperados y resolución de problemas; una organización que posibilita espacios de interacción como las reuniones de equipo donde poder afrontar las dificultades y; por último; un entorno competitivo marcado por la innovación tecnológica y la exigencia de un cliente que estimula al aprendizaje.
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