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The team as a learning strategy: Three cases of team‐based production in the Swedish manufacturing industry

Henrik Kock (Helix Vinn Excellence Centre, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden)

Journal of Workplace Learning

ISSN: 1366-5626

Article publication date: 30 October 2007

2450

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of how the introduction of a team‐based work organization can affect the opportunities to learn at work. Two research questions are addressed: “What conditions are important for learning and competence development in a team‐based work organization?” and “To what extent does a team‐based work organization support and enhance favourable learning conditions for team members?”

Design/methodology/approach

Investigations are based on longitudinal case studies of work‐based learning and the development of a team‐based organization in three manufacturing companies.

Findings

Results demonstrate that there are no straightforward or linear relations between the introduction of team‐based production and the expansion of learning conditions. The study also identifies several challenges and dilemmas organizations meet when they introduce a team‐based production.

Practical implications

Several conditions important for learning in a team‐based production are emphasized, including: the needs for challenging work tasks; the development of team leadership; and the significance of supportive learning conditions.

Originality/value

The study contributes to an understanding of organizational change and development as a non‐linear process, which can be understood as a complex interplay between actors and internal and external organizational conditions.

Keywords

Citation

Kock, H. (2007), "The team as a learning strategy: Three cases of team‐based production in the Swedish manufacturing industry", Journal of Workplace Learning, Vol. 19 No. 8, pp. 480-496. https://doi.org/10.1108/13665620710831164

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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