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Organizational learning in shop floor level

Che Keung Cheung (Department of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong and Quality Engineering Department, Acrathon Precision Technologies (Dongguan) Co. Ltd., Dongguan, China)
Shuang Geng (Department of System Engineering and Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Kong Bieng Chuah (Department of System Engineering and Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Yiu Chung Chau (Department of System Engineering and Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Kar Fai Kwong (Industrial Engineering Department, PuraPharm International (H.K.) Ltd., Hong Kong)

The Learning Organization

ISSN: 0969-6474

Article publication date: 11 July 2016

518

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the result of the pilot run of a research project which aims at evaluating the applicability of project-based action learning (PAL) to shop floor organizational learning (OL) component in a manufacturing company in Dongguan, China. How the PAL framework was introduced and implemented is described. The factors that influence PAL implementation are examined in this pilot implementation. The implications and effectiveness are discussed. The findings shed light on the modifications needed in the PAL framework for shop floor implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a longitudinal case research which is conducted in a case company (APT) located in Dongguan, China. PAL framework was introduced and implemented in APT. A wave-like approach was used to repeat launching PAL projects in cycles. Data of learning and work performances were collected for review during each phase and each cycle of the project. The result presented here is from the early round of the pilot PAL implementation.

Findings

Result indicated that the PAL framework is applicable in the shop floor level OL. Learning and performance have been found to have improved in all the PAL groups participating in the pilot run. Result also shows that the PAL implementation framework needs some fine tuning to meet the needs of the unique shop floor environment particularly with regard to performance measure and evaluation.

Originality/value

No such case study has been conducted in shop floor level before. The research study will be valuable experience and example for other organizations to implement OL in shop floor level.

Keywords

Citation

Cheung, C.K., Geng, S., Chuah, K.B., Chau, Y.C. and Kwong, K.F. (2016), "Organizational learning in shop floor level", The Learning Organization, Vol. 23 No. 5, pp. 274-298. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-03-2016-0019

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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