Leadership and learning: facilitating self-directed learning in enterprises
PURPOSE - The purpose of this research is to show that a key aspect of learning and development of individual employees is that of self-directedness. This paper will consider the role of the leader in facilitating workforce development in terms of employees' self-directedness for learning. The research was designed to investigate the views that "learning leaders" in organizations have towards the development of self-directedness in employees; and to identify strategies that are feasible in developing self-directedness in operating organizations. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH - This paper draws on a national research project undertaken in 12 organizations in Australia, representing a range of sizes and a number of industry sectors. Data collection involved interviewing learning and development managers in each organization to gauge the relative feasibility of the implementation of a number of pre-identified strategies designed to develop self-directedness among employees within operating work environments. FINDINGS - The research showed that: learning managers and leaders were generally well disposed towards the development of self-directedness, and some had already moved to do so; and identified a number of possible strategies for implementation of varying degrees of feasibility. The paper will consider these findings in relation to the concept of a "learning leader". RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS - Although the research was conducted in a diverse set of 12 enterprises, applicability of the results across an even wider set of enterprises would need to be tested. ORIGINALITY/VALUE - The findings of this research provide guidance to learning and development personnel on feasible strategies to use within their own.
Year of publication: |
2007
|
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Authors: | Smith, P ; Sadler-Smith, E ; Robertson, I |
Publisher: |
Emerald Group Publishing |
Saved in:
Saved in favorites
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