A1 Journal article (refereed)
Self-organised structures in the field of ICT : challenges for employees’ workplace learning (2021)


Collin, K. M., Keronen, S., Lemmetty, S., Auvinen, T., & Riivari, E. (2021). Self-organised structures in the field of ICT : challenges for employees’ workplace learning. Journal of Workplace Learning, 33(2), 95-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/jwl-10-2019-0124


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Collin, Kaija Marjukka; Keronen, Sara; Lemmetty, Soila; Auvinen, Tommi; Riivari, Elina

Journal or series: Journal of Workplace Learning

ISSN: 1366-5626

eISSN: 1758-7859

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 11/02/2021

Volume: 33

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 95-108

Publisher: Emerald

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/jwl-10-2019-0124

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77621


Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the challenges of low hierarchy and self-organised structures for employees’ learning and competency development at work. In the past decade, interest in employees’ and organisations’ self-directedness has increased. Self-organised structures are perceived as better able to answer to the quickly changing requirements of clients and business environments. Within these structures, employees are expected to take on more responsibility and maintain more control over their workplace learning, which means they must be self-directed and autonomous. An important question for this approach is how can workplace learning and employee competence development be enhanced.

Design/methodology/approach
Two self-organised Finnish information and communication technology-companies participated in the study. With the help of data-driven content analysis, 36 interviews were analysed.

Findings
Unclear roles, structures and areas of responsibility caused challenges during the guidance and support of learning, for long-term and sustainable professional development possibilities and in organising and prioritizing work tasks related to learning.

Practical implications
In self-organised structures, there should be a means of the better supporting individual- and team-based learning. This will allow learning to have as much value as possible in the future and, therefore, be more sustainable. The findings are also important to be taken into account in managers’ and HR professionals’ education and training.

Originality/value
The findings of this study can offer insights into employees’ well-being emerging from the possibility to learn and be supported in that learning especially in self-organised structures, which so far has been scarcely studied.


Keywords: on-the-job learning; know-how; self-direction; information and communication technology sector; organisational structure

Free keywords: ICT; workplace learning; self-organised structure


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1


Last updated on 2022-20-09 at 15:16