Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Learning cycles and focus groups

Learning cycles and focus groups Purpose– This study aims to propose a complementary method to the A3 information collection, data analysis and capturing and sharing knowledge to facilitate problem solving in a general framework. The incorporation of this method minimizes the difficulties identified in the literature focused on continuous improvement of processes. The method comprises combining triangulation techniques utilizing focus groups for a survey of qualitative data and the approach called Look – Ask – Model – Discuss – Act (LAMDA), which was originally designed for cycles of knowledge creation applied in product development processes. Design/methodology/approach– The methodology proposed in this work follows the A3 report approach including focus groups’ techniques in the planning step and problem analysis and the use of the LAMDA learning cycle, aiming to fill the gaps in A3 method. Therefore, the methodology includes five macro steps, which are divided into smaller steps. Note that the inclusion of the LAMDA learning cycle in the A3 report is called A3LAMDA. In addition, macro steps from 1 to 4 belong to “knowledge creation” step and macro step 5 deals with the “Capture of knowledge” step. Along the proposed methodology application, greater focus will be given to techniques incorporated in the A3 report, as they represent the main contribution of this method. Findings– The proposed approach to the A3 report was more concise and comprehensive, allowing different views and perspectives to be considered to understand the problem and find solutions through the focus groups method. In addition, the development of a structured questionnaire for the interviews encouraged the participants to present their opinions regarding the problem hypotheses. The use of the LAMDA learning cycle was essential to capture and share the knowledge acquired during the problem-solving process. It allowed not only the reflection on the aspects that have either worked or not but also the understanding of how to do the next work differently. Originality/value– This study aims to propose a complementary method to the A3 information collection, data analysis and capturing and sharing knowledge to facilitate problem solving in the general framework. The incorporation of this method minimizes the difficulties identified in the literature that focused on continuous improvement of processes. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The Learning Organization Emerald Publishing

Loading next page...
 
/lp/emerald-publishing/learning-cycles-and-focus-groups-K0hyBsa5zS

References (18)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
0969-6474
DOI
10.1108/TLO-02-2015-0008
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose– This study aims to propose a complementary method to the A3 information collection, data analysis and capturing and sharing knowledge to facilitate problem solving in a general framework. The incorporation of this method minimizes the difficulties identified in the literature focused on continuous improvement of processes. The method comprises combining triangulation techniques utilizing focus groups for a survey of qualitative data and the approach called Look – Ask – Model – Discuss – Act (LAMDA), which was originally designed for cycles of knowledge creation applied in product development processes. Design/methodology/approach– The methodology proposed in this work follows the A3 report approach including focus groups’ techniques in the planning step and problem analysis and the use of the LAMDA learning cycle, aiming to fill the gaps in A3 method. Therefore, the methodology includes five macro steps, which are divided into smaller steps. Note that the inclusion of the LAMDA learning cycle in the A3 report is called A3LAMDA. In addition, macro steps from 1 to 4 belong to “knowledge creation” step and macro step 5 deals with the “Capture of knowledge” step. Along the proposed methodology application, greater focus will be given to techniques incorporated in the A3 report, as they represent the main contribution of this method. Findings– The proposed approach to the A3 report was more concise and comprehensive, allowing different views and perspectives to be considered to understand the problem and find solutions through the focus groups method. In addition, the development of a structured questionnaire for the interviews encouraged the participants to present their opinions regarding the problem hypotheses. The use of the LAMDA learning cycle was essential to capture and share the knowledge acquired during the problem-solving process. It allowed not only the reflection on the aspects that have either worked or not but also the understanding of how to do the next work differently. Originality/value– This study aims to propose a complementary method to the A3 information collection, data analysis and capturing and sharing knowledge to facilitate problem solving in the general framework. The incorporation of this method minimizes the difficulties identified in the literature that focused on continuous improvement of processes.

Journal

The Learning OrganizationEmerald Publishing

Published: May 11, 2015

There are no references for this article.