Informal learning in the workplace: Approaches to learning and perceptions of the context

Richardson, John T. E. and Kirkwood, Adrian (2017). Informal learning in the workplace: Approaches to learning and perceptions of the context. In: Huisman, Jeroen and Tight, Malcolm eds. Theory and Method in Higher Education Research, Volume 3. International Perspectives in Higher Education Research. London: Emerald Publishing, pp. 249–268.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S2056-375220170000003014

Abstract

Questionnaires have been devised to investigate informal learning in the workplace based on an analogy with approaches to studying in higher education. This chapter focuses attention on issues of theory by critically evaluating different models of the relationship between employees’ approaches to workplace learning and their perceptions of the workplace context. In addition, this chapter focuses attention on issues of method by critically evaluating two particular instruments that have been devised in order to measure employees’ approaches to workplace learning and their perceptions of the workplace context. We use data from an online survey in which the Approaches to Work Questionnaire and the Workplace Climate Questionnaire were administered to employees who were taking courses by distance learning with the UK Open University. Factor analyses confirmed that both questionnaires measured three distinct scales. Canonical correlation analysis showed that the employees’ scores on the two instruments shared 43% of their variance. Path analysis found evidence that variations in approaches to learning lead to variations in perceptions of the workplace climate but not for the converse relationship.

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