The volume comprises a variety of research approaches that seek to explore and understand employees’ learning and development through and for work. Working life reveals challenges through technological, economic and societal development that can only rudimentarily be addressed by formal education and training. Workplace learning becomes more and more important for employees and enterprises to successfully cope with these challenges. Workplace learning is a steadily growing field of educational research but it lacks so far a scholastic canon – there is rather a diversity of research approaches. This volume reflects this diversity by bringing together researchers from different countries and different theoretical backgrounds, presenting their current research on topics that all are relevant for understanding presages, processes and outcomes of workplace learning. Hence, this volume is of relevance for researchers as well as practitioners in the field and policy makers.

This book analyzes the nature and requirements of workplace e-learning based on relevant theories such as adult learning, community of practice, organizational learning, and the systems thinking. By integrating considerations on organization, pedagogy and technology, a performance-oriented e-learning framework is then presented, where performance measurement is used to: 1) clarify and link organizational goals and individual learning needs, 2) direct learning towards work performance; and 3) support social communication and knowledge sharing and management in the workplace. E-learning and related emerging technologies have been increasingly used by organizations to enhance the skills and performance of knowledge workers. However, most of the efforts tend to focus on the technology, ignoring the organizational context and relevant pedagogies of workplace learning. Many e-learning projects in the workplace settings fail to connect learning with work performance and align organizational goals and individual needs in a systemic way. Moreover, there is insufficient effort on externalizing and transferring tacit knowledge embedded in practices and expertise, based on which to maintain and expand knowledge assets for sustainable development. The book presents a systemic theoretical framework, design principles, and implementation methods, together with a case study to demonstrate the use and effectiveness of the performance-oriented approach to workplace e-learning, in which organizational, social and individual perspectives are integrated in a systemic way. The performance-oriented approach to workplace e-learning enables self-regulated and socially constructed learning activities to be clearly motivated and driven towards the goal of performance improvement, and makes learning at the organizational, social and individual levels integrated in a systemic way. The effects of individual and social learning support and organizational learning environment on employees’ motivation to use performance-oriented e-learning are also investigated.

"This book explores the methods, skills, and techniques that are essential to lifelong learning and professional advancement offering critical insights for interested in the constantly shifting shape of the modern workforce"--

Undertaking small-scale applied workplace-based research presents a unique set of challenges including how to conduct good research in time pressured situations and how to thrive in unfamiliar work environments. This book will help you to meet these challenges by setting out a step-by-step guide to planning, conducting and delivering top quality small-scale work-based research projects. In addition this book will help you to adapt quickly to your new surroundings. It will provide a strong strategic skill set that will enable you to navigate the workplace and ensure that your research findings inform organizational decision making. It tackles the challenge of conducting rigorous credible research FOR and WITHIN organizations and provides tangible advice for those looking to complete their research in very short time frames and with limited resources. Written by established academics, with significant experience coordinating industry/government placements and internships, the book will help you to bridge the gap between academic expectations and the requirements of the organisation, including the need to Develop a ‘pitch’ as well as a proposal; Produce powerful visualizations as well as logical narrative; Present practicable recommendations as well as findings/conclusions; Develop persuasive deliverables as well as traditional research reports; Create presentations that persuade as well as inform. Packed full of real-life examples, actionable advice and sensitive pedagogy this book will get you through your placement with confidence and style.

This handbook provides an overview of workplace learning from a global perspective.

"This Handbook is sure to become a key resource for any researcher or professional looking for the latest and most innovative thinking from around the world on the full range of topics related to training, development, and performance management." Bradford S. Bell, PhD, Cornell University, USA. Editor, Personnel Psychology "I wish I could have accessed this book many years ago. Comprehensive and scholarly, the four sections training, e-learning, personal and professional development and performance management fit well together and address a gap in the literature that has been apparent for some time. The psychological perspective speaks to growing interest in the micro-foundations of strategic success, and the blending together of both formal and informal perspectives on learning in organizations ensures a holistic rather than piecemeal approach to the question of how to build individual knowledge, skills, and competences in organizations. I believe that this book will make a significant impact on its target audience in this critical area." Helen Shipton, Professor of International Human Resource Management, Nottingham Trent University, UK The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Training, Development, and Performance Improvement provides up-to-date, contemporary information for researchers and professionals by reviewing the latest literature and research in the interconnected fields of training, development, and performance appraisal. It brings a psychological perspective to bear on a multidisciplinary field that links to management, human resources, and education. Unique to reference works in this area, it maintains a truly global focus on the field with top international contributors looking at research and practice from around the world, including South America, Europe, Canada, and Australia, as well as the United States and the United Kingdom. The chapters cover a diverse range of important contemporary topics, such as needs analysis, job design, active learning, self-regulation, simulation approaches, 360-degree feedback, and virtual learning environments. Together, they offer researchers and professionals essential information for building a talented organization, a critical and challenging task for organizational success in the twenty-first century.

As the areas of community education and professional development continue to expand, the technologies that are utilized in these programs are also progressively advancing. However, it can sometimes be difficult to pin-point the best system in such a vast, ever-changing world of technology. Technology Use and Research Approaches for Community Education and Professional Development investigates how the role of information technology is impacting the academic and workplace environments. This publication will explore areas such as unique learning styles, various methods of disseminating information, and technology’s role and impact within these settings. Researchers, practitioners, and instructors in the areas of adult, continued, and higher education will benefit from this text’s innovative way of addressing efficient methods of utilizing technology.