A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
Digital environments as sites for informal workplace learning in knowledge work (2024)

Karhapää, A., Rikala, P., Pöysä-Tarhonen, J., & Hämäläinen, R. (2024). Digital environments as sites for informal workplace learning in knowledge work. Journal of Workplace Learning, 36(9), 19-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-11-2023-0184

JYU-tekijät tai -toimittajat

Karhapää, Anne
Rikala, Pauliina
Pöysä-Tarhonen, Johanna
Hämäläinen, Raija

Julkaisun tiedot

Julkaisun kaikki tekijät tai toimittajat: Karhapää, Anne; Rikala, Pauliina; Pöysä-Tarhonen, Johanna; Hämäläinen, Raija

Lehti tai sarja: Journal of Workplace Learning

ISSN: 1366-5626

eISSN: 1366-5626

Julkaisuvuosi: 2024

Ilmestymispäivä: 10.06.2024

Volyymi: 36

Lehden numero: 9

Artikkelin sivunumerot: 19-36

Kustantaja: Emerald

Julkaisumaa: Britannia

Julkaisun kieli: englanti

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-11-2023-0184

Julkaisun avoin saatavuus: Avoimesti saatavilla

Julkaisukanavan avoin saatavuus: Osittain avoin julkaisukanava

Julkaisu on rinnakkaistallennettu (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/96080

Tiivistelmä

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore how digital technologies at work serve as environments for informal workplace learning in knowledge work.

Design/methodology/approach
Digital ethnography was used to investigate the digital environments of one public sector workplace. The data included observations, interviews and participant diaries.

Findings
The digital work environment consisted of a complex network of technologies and people connected to them. The ethnographic accounts revealed both expansive and restrictive features of the digital environment. Digital technology extended learning opportunities by providing flexible possibilities for interaction, collaboration and access to a wealth of information. On the contrary, digitally mediated presence could restrict learning if the attendance and learning remained superficial. The complexity and constant change in digital workplace environments presented challenges that could potentially restrict learning. Information overload, constant interruptions and changes were burdens that required employees’ skills to manage these challenges.

Originality/value
The authors take a novel approach to view the workplace as a phygital environment in which social, physical and digital environments are combined. Because digital environments are becoming increasingly essential parts of the workplace, it is important to understand how they can support learning.

YSO-asiasanat: informaali oppiminen; työssäoppiminen; oppimisympäristö; työpaikkakulttuuri; verkkoympäristö; digitaalinen media; tietotyö; etnografia