Nguyen-Duc, Thinh; Phuong, Tam T.; Le, Thuy T.B.; Nguyen, Lam T.T.
2023 The Learning Organization
The main purpose of this study was to validate the Dimensions of Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ) in a Vietnamese context. Using the DLOQ as a research tool, this study also investigated the impact of demographic features on participants’ perceptions of learning organizations (LOs).Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 748 valid responses to a version of the DLOQ translated into Vietnamese. Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis were used to test the reliable internal consistency and validity of the DLOQ in a Vietnamese context. Then, one-way ANOVA analyses and independent sample t-tests were used to assess the differences produced by the characteristics of respondents and their enterprises.FindingsThe results of this study show that three versions of the DLOQ are applicable to a Vietnamese context. The findings of this study also suggest that several demographic features produced significant differences in respondents’ perceptions of organizational learning.Research limitations/implicationsThere are several limitations of this study. First, this study used self-reporting, and individual perspectives of questions can bring about perception bias. Also, the length of the original version of the DLOQ (i.e. 43 questions) might impact the results, because of participants’ lack of patience and focus. In addition, various levels of organizational learning may cause some confusion, leading to misinterpretation. Finally, the overrepresentation of large state-owned enterprises in the service industry in the sample may have caused bias when interpreting the results. Future research should be conducted to further validate and extend the findings of this study for small- and medium-sized enterprises, which account for 98% of businesses in Vietnam. It is strongly suggested that scholars use the validated Vietnamese DLOQ to measure the impacts of learning culture on learning-related results in Vietnam, such as individual/team/organizational performance, staff satisfaction and so on. Finally, future research should consider making appropriate study designs to collect and analyze data from various resources and not be limited to self-reported questionnaires. This would minimize common method bias.Practical implicationsApplication of the DLOQ provides valuable insights and understanding for use in designing and evaluating efforts to learn at all levels in Vietnamese enterprises.Social implicationsRegarding designing, adjusting and implementing strategies to boost the learning capacity of an organization, the findings of this study also imply that business leaders and practitioners in Vietnamese enterprises can build strategies for enhancing LO culture without biases stemming from gender or management level. However, education level and work experience should be considered critical features that could impact the effectiveness of such strategies. Also, understanding and applying the DLOQ when building LOs will promote Vietnamese businesses’ competitiveness and international integration.Originality/valueUsing statistical results, this study confirmed that a rigorously translated Vietnamese version of the DLOQ produced reliable measurement scores with a construct validity sufficient to measure LOs in a Vietnamese context.
Han, Jung Woo; Nguyen, Thu Thi Minh; Hua, Sang My; Pham, Thanh-Hang
2023 The Learning Organization
To understand the unique context forming organizational learning, the current study aims to investigate the antecedents of training and development (TD) practices as an indicator of effective organizational learning from the Vietnam hospitality sector, which has not been studied rigorously.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including a path analysis partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) based on a sample size of 354 responses and a semi-structured interview of 32 participants to test various paths predicting training effectiveness while exploring contextual differences in the Vietnam hospitality sector.FindingsThe results show that among the variables investigated, extrinsic motivation, team support and job quality were found to be significant to TD, while intrinsic motivation was found to have no significant predictive power. To explore the reasons behind these findings, the interviews indicate that the motivations of employees in the hospitality sector, most of whom are young and have a limited length of service, are highly rooted in the organization’s cultural context.Originality/valueThis study contributes to understanding the complex context of organizational learning through an investigation of an emerging economy from Southeast Asia by adding new insights into the training and motivational theories. It has practical implications for practitioners in the hospitality sector to develop more effective learning organizations during the uncertain period of this unprecedented pandemic.
Hoai, Nguyen Trong; Duy, Luong Vinh Quoc; Cassells, Damien
2023 The Learning Organization
Internationalization is viewed as an important strategy in the context of a country in transition from central planning to market orientation. Efforts to internationalize universities are being carried out at both national and institutional levels. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has been no study to investigate how individual institutions approach internationalization and what they gain from that process. This paper aims to investigate the enhancement of teachers’ and students’ knowledge and skills using internationalization in Vietnam universities as a strategy.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews with leaders from 12 universities were conducted to investigate their perceptions, strategies and perceived outcomes of the internationalization process of their universities. Data analysis involved coding the transcripts of interviews into themes.FindingsResults show that current approaches to internationalized activities in Vietnamese universities are ad hoc in nature, while resources and language incompetence of staff and students are limited. In line with other previous studies, limited resources and lack of English competence among educators and students were found to be the key obstacles and challenges for internationalized activities. The authors also note an issue that apparently has not been raised elsewhere in the relevant research literature, which is the challenge for the sustainability of knowledge production via research and publications.Originality/valueFindings from this study not only contribute to Vietnamese universities but also to other developing institutions which do not have strong international exchange programs or have not experienced strong benefits from international exchange programs.
2023 The Learning Organization
The coronavirus crisis has a huge impact on how we work, learn and even live; the purpose of the study is to bring insights on different approaches to deal with challenging situation like COVID-19. For this reason, the study will facilitate to develop understanding on how to conquer the hurdle of business continuity during challenging times, along with dealing of other challenges like ensuring health and well-being of employees, abiding by the regulation and guidelines, prioritizing the need and handling of different resources (most importantly human).Design/methodology/approachThe data was collected from case study organization during May 2020. For data collection, various internal documents from the case study organization were referred, including various report, circulars, guidelines, office information note. Further, press release and information from website of the case company were also explored. The interview of different group of decision makers (i.e. top management, human resource managers and head at plant sites) was also performed during data collection.FindingsThe study has initiated to identify with the approach of the case company to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and to overcome the challenges posed by unprecedented crisis.Originality/valueThe COVID-19 crisis has underlined the significance of the power utilities, as electricity is critical to ensure the smooth functioning of various sectors of the economy. Considering the importance of power sector for economy, this article has taken to investigate the crisis management model of one of India’s major power producer companies.
Annan-Prah, Elizabeth Cornelia; Baffoe, Florence; Andoh, Raphael Papa Kweku
2023 The Learning Organization
The purpose of this study was to examine effects of the human aspects of the learning organisation (i.e. continuous learning; inquiry and dialogue; team collaboration and learning; and employee empowerment) on the performance of a public university’s administrative staff. Differences in the human aspects of the learning organisation across perhaps the two most important demographic characteristics (educational attainment and years of experience) were also examined.Design/methodology/approachThis study focused exclusively on the human aspect of the dimensions of the learning organisation questionnaire. Specifically, differences in the people aspect of learning organization (PALO) across demographic characteristics were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test with a Bonferroni adjustment to the alpha values in the Mann–Whitney U tests that followed. Hierarchical linear regression using the standard (enter) method was adopted in analysing the PALO and administrative staff performance while controlling for age and gender.FindingsThis study demonstrated that a difference in the PALO existed across the education level and years of experience of the administrative staff. Specifically, Diploma holders performed better than those with Postgraduate degree. Also, administrative staff with 5–10 years of experience did better than the staff who had more than 15 years of experience. In addition, continuous learning; inquiry and dialogue; and collaboration and team learning each had a significant effect on administrative staff performance.Practical implicationsEmployees, especially those with higher levels of education and more work experience, should be motivated through rewards as well as challenging and thought-provoking tasks as they could serve as mechanisms that would make them contribute substantially to the sustainability of the PALO. Again, public universities should pay attention to the PALO, which is at the individual and team levels.Originality/valueThis study focuses solely on the people aspect of the dimensions of the learning organisation questionnaire and sheds light on its importance to the learning organisation culture.
Muzam, John; Bendkowski, Jacek; Mah, Pascal Muam; Mudoh, Polycap
2023 The Learning Organization
The study discusses the importance of workplace learning in the current era of work and how organisations are shifting their focus toward employee learning and development. It highlights the need for employees to continuously up-skill themselves to keep up with the demand for skills. The purpose of this study is to introduce a modern approach to evaluating workplace learning to promote and enhance better performance within the workplace.Design/methodology/approachIt introduces a deep modern learning approach called “behavior-oriented drive and influential functions of formal and informal learning”. The study also develops the concept of the “Study, Plan, Do, Check, and Act” framework to simulate practise and theory within and outside of work to allow continuous improvement, learning new workplace tools, and bridging digital transformation challenges. The study highlights that workplace learning occurs in a variety of contexts and uses various tools, which poses challenges for the design and development of technology that supports and analyses workplace learning.FindingsBased on behaviour-orientated drive and influential functions for formal and informal learning, a grade of 6.54% days was registered for formal learning tools and 4.89% days for informal learning tools. From the statistics in this study, This study concluded that informal learning tools contribute more to the development of the workplace than formal learning. In informal learning, employees act autonomously at their own will and pace to obtain the required knowledge. The time to acquire knowledge through informal learning tools is shorter than in formal learning. Future relevant research should review more learning tools for formal and informal learning.Practical implicationsModern workplace learning is a key tool for organisations to gain a competitive advantage. Learning based on formal training and development programs, informal learning and knowledge sharing influence the development of human capital resources.Originality/valueThe study combines social science and engineering approaches to enable non-engineers to pioneer execution of tasks and examine their performance based on the approach detailed in the results, methodology and discussion sections. It contributes to the field of learning organisations and organisational learning by exploring the learning processes of modern professionals. By investigating the learning practices and experiences of knowledge workers, this study seeks to identify the factors that promote or learn and the impact of learning on the workplace.
Rahul Paul, Gaddam; Khalid Perwez, Syed
2023 The Learning Organization
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted work, leading to the adoption of remote work practices and changes in power dynamics and trust. Although managing remote work has received much attention, the impact of the quality of work life on the effectiveness of hybrid workplaces has been less studied. This study aims to examine the relationship between quality of work life and psychological capital among organizational leaders using an artificial neural network (ANN) model.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a cross-sectional quantitative methodology. A structured questionnaire was used to collect 268 responses from organizational leaders using the convenience sampling method. The data collected were analyzed using the ANN model in the Python interface.FindingsThe ANN model training and testing revealed that there is a positive relationship between the quality of work life and psychological capital among organizational leaders. The R-squared values for hope, efficacy, resilience and optimism were 85.19%, 82.08%, 78.55% and 81.08%, respectively, in the training set, and 81.30%, 78.95%, 76.52% and 71.41% in the testing set.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous research in the context of studying the relationship between quality of work life and psychological capital among organizational leaders using the machine learning approach – ANN model.