Learning & Development: Concepts, Context and Processes: (Learning & Development in Organisations series #1)

By Thomas Garavan, Carole Hogan and Amanda Cahir-O'Donnell

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT: CONCEPTS, CONTEXTS AND PROCESSES outlines and discusses the core concepts of learning, training and development and related concepts, such as human resource development and workplace learning. It provides a brief outline of the historical development of L&D in organisations and discusses key external and internal changes that shape the way that organisations manage strategic L&D. These external trends include global competition and the global labour market, changing technology and the changing workforce, as well as trends such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics and sustainability. Key internal context elements include business strategy, organisational structure and culture. It also documents key changes in managing people, including changing careers, the changing nature of jobs, work design, employee contracting, talent management and the role of personal initiative. The ebook then explains the scope, nature and boundaries of strategic L&D and concludes with a discussion of strategic L&D and evaluates the case for investment in L&D in organisations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oak Tree Press
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781781194614

Book preview

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT: CONCEPTS, CONTEXT AND PROCESSES

CHAPTER 1: LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT IN ORGANISATIONS: STRATEGY, EVIDENCE AND PRACTICE

Thomas Garavan, Carole Hogan, Amanda Cahir-O’Donnell & Claire Gubbins

Published by Oak Tree Press, Cork, Ireland

www.oaktreepress.com / www.SuccessStore.com

© 2020 Thomas Garavan, Carole Hogan, Amanda Cahir-O’Donnell, Claire Gubbins

A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 1 78119 460 7 (PDF)

ISBN 978 1 78119 461 4 (ePub)

ISBN 978 1 78119 462 1 (Kindle)

Cover image: Preechar Bowonkitwanchai / 123rf.com

Cover design: Kieran O’Connor Design

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or electronically without written permission of the publisher.

Such written permission also must be obtained before any part of this publication is stored in a retrieval system of any nature.

Requests for permission should be directed to Oak Tree Press, [e-mail].

CONTENTS

Abbreviations

Foreword

Preface

Learning Objectives

Key Concepts

1Introduction

2Defining L&D

2.1 Learning

2.2 Training

2.3 Development and Education

2.4 Instruction and Teaching

2.5 Human Resource Development and Workplace Learning

Case Study 1: L&D in PwC

3The Historical Evolution of L&D in Organisations

3.1 The Emergence of the Classroom and Structured On-the-job Training

3.2 eLearning and Digitisation

3.3 Blended Learning

3.4 Social Learning

3.5 Personalised learning

4The Context of L&D

4.1 The External Context of L&D

Case Study 2: L&D and the Gig Economy

4.2 The Changing Organisational Context

4.3 Changes in Perspectives on Managing People

5Defining Strategic L&D

5.1 Strategic L&D: Approach and Philosophy

5.2 The Case for Investment in Strategic L&D

Critical Reflection 1

Critical Reflection 2

Best Available Evidence to Inform Practice

Conclusion

Summary

Review Questions

Strategic L&D in Action

Case Study 3: Investing in the Development of Employees: Amazon, Google, Dell and Intel

Further Reading

Bibliography

About the Authors

Other Titles in this Series

ABBREVIATIONS

AI artificial intelligence

AR augmented reality

BPO business process outsourcing

CAD computer aided design

CAM computer aided manufacturing

CoP community of practice

CSR corporate social responsibility

DOT Development Opportunity Tool (Intel)

ERPG ethnocentric, polycentric, regiocentric and geocentric

G2G Googler-to-Googler (Google)

HCN home country national

HPWP high performance work practice

HQ headquarters

HR human resource

HRD human resource development

HRM human resources management

ICT information and communication technology

IITD Irish Institute of Training and Development

INGO international nongovernmental organisation

ISD instructional system design

IT information technology

KSA knowledge, skills and abilities

L&D learning and development

LMS learning management system

M&A mergers and acquisitions

MNC multinational corporation

PCN parent country national

ROI return on investment

SDL self-directed learning

TCN third country national

TWI Training within Industry

UN United Nations

US United States (of America)

VR virtual reality

FOREWORD

Business leaders know that today’s fast-accelerating changes in technology, longevity, work practices, and business models offer both challenges and opportunities. While some jobs are disappearing due to advances in technology, many more are being transformed and thus creating the need for continuous, lifelong development. In response to this evolving landscape, Learning and Development (L&D) professionals are prioritising strategic imperatives such as transitioning to the future of work, the redesign of work and jobs, and reskilling the workforce to support the ongoing evolution of organisations.

It is imperative that L&D professionals shift their focus from the dominant paradigms that the profession has relied on for the past 50 years and examine more contemporary ways in which to improve their practice as professionals. The reality is that the future has started. We need to invest in breakthrough thinking and innovation to sustain success and face up to the challenges of the new business, customer and market paradigms. Encouraging an organisation’s workforce to learn and to change and adapt to the needs of the organisation is now more important than ever in order to respond to the requirements of the workplace of the future. L&D professionals have a major role to play in helping organisations to ensure that they have a workforce that is capable of adapting to those changing requirements.

Accordingly, as the leading professional body for L&D professionals in Ireland, the Irish Institute of Training and Development (IITD) commissioned LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT in ORGANISATIONS: STRATEGY, EVIDENCE and PRACTICE to reflect the changing landscape of L&D. Our intent in commissioning this book was to support L&D professionals by sharing the most up-to-date thinking to assist them in the development of capability throughout their organisations. The book aims to develop L&D professionals so that they deliver impactful learning interventions that develop staff by thinking innovatively about how work is organised and ensuring the best alignment of people and technology with the right opportunities within their organisations. It considers both formal and informal learning and looks at the contribution of the L&D function to organisational and financial performance. Reflecting the latest thinking in the field of L&D, it provides a theoretically-sound text written with the user in mind, whether that user is a practitioner or a student. Included in each chapter, to help the reader to relate the text to practical application, are case studies that show the theory in action. Critically, the book looks at the future of L&D and the competencies that are required into the future as well as examining ethical considerations in the field of L&D.

We at IITD are very pleased to be associated with this book and would like to extend our sincere thanks to all who have been involved in producing such an up-to-date, reader-friendly book which is aimed at all those who work in, or indeed have an interest, in the area of L&D. In particular, we applaud the work of Professor Thomas Garavan in conducting the research that underpins the book and also would like to thank all the member companies of IITD and other L&D professionals who participated in the research.

We believe that LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT in ORGANISATIONS: STRATEGY, EVIDENCE and PRACTICE will set the agenda for L&D professionals in the future. We hope that you will find it an invaluable resource.

Sinead Heneghan

CEO, IITD

PREFACE

L&D is an important organisational human resource