Addressing learning and development issues in airport companies: implications for organizational development specialists

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the issues affecting learning and development (L&D) interventions to enhance operational efficiency in airport companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a case study design following a qualitative approach for data collection and analysis procedure. A purposive sample of fifteen executives, including 6 Chief Executive Officers, along with 9 operational managers from the aviation industry in Namibia were suitable participants to gather information about issues affecting L&D for specific interventions to improve operational efficiency in airport companies. The data was collected using face-to-face interviews. The transcripts generated from the recordings were organized using thematic analysis via NVivo version 12.

Findings

The results showcased a lack of training needs assessment and process, inadequate specialized training and poor levels of commitment. Hence, specialized L&D interventions will impact commitment and work outcomes, which are essential for operational efficiency in airport companies.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of literature on how to address L&D issues for operational efficiency in the aviation sector.

Citation

Atiku, S.O., Oladejo, O.M. and Sibalatani, A.N. (2024), "Addressing learning and development issues in airport companies: implications for organizational development specialists", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-01-2024-0002