Expertise – from the mouths of babes: Getting to grips with the drivers of informal learning

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Employees mostly learn informally by talking or collaborating with others, searching information online and feedback giving and seeking from colleagues and supervisors and reading. Next, it was found that organizational drivers, task and job drivers, personal drivers and formal learning influenced employees’ informal learning. Background characteristics, on the contrary, were not found to influence informal learning. Overall, within these categories, the following drivers had the greatest influence on informal learning: commitment to learning and development, feedback as well as interactions with and support from colleagues and supervisors.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Citation

(2016), "Expertise – from the mouths of babes: Getting to grips with the drivers of informal learning", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 30 No. 5, pp. 22-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-06-2016-0039