A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Agency : taking stock of workplace learning research (2022)

Goller, M., & Paloniemi, S. (2022). Agency : taking stock of workplace learning research. In C. Harteis, D. Gijbels, & E. Kyndt (Eds.), Research Approaches on Workplace Learning : Insights from a Growing Field (pp. 3-28). Springer International Publishing. Professional and Practice-based Learning, 31. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89582-2_1

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Goller, Michael; Paloniemi, Susanna

Parent publication: Research Approaches on Workplace Learning : Insights from a Growing Field

Parent publication editors: Harteis, Christian; Gijbels, David; Kyndt, Eva

ISBN: 978-3-030-89581-5

eISBN: 978-3-030-89582-2

Journal or series: Professional and Practice-based Learning

ISSN: 2210-5549

eISSN: 2210-5557

Publication year: 2022

Number in series: 31

Pages range: 3-28

Number of pages in the book: 456

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89582-2_1

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: Channel is not openly available

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83853

Abstract

This chapter presents a discussion of the concept of agency. Agency is understood as a multifaceted construct describing the idea that human beings make choices, act on these choices, and thereby exercise influence on their own lives as well as their environment. We argue that the concept is discussed from three different perspectives in the literature—transformational, dispositional, and relational—that are each related to learning and development in work contexts. These perspectives do not reflect incompatible positions but rather different aspects of the same phenomena. The chapter also offers an avenue of insight into empirical studies that employ agency as a central concept as well as discussions about concepts that closely overlap with ideas of human beings as agents of power and influence.

Keywords: human agency; learning; professional development; proactivity; self-direction; working life; workplaces

Free keywords: agency; workplace learning; professional development; proactivity; self-direction

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2