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Article
Publication date: 29 June 2012

Karen Becker, Julie Fleming and Wilhelmina Keijsers

The purpose of this paper is to provide description and analysis of how a traditional industry is currently using e‐learning, and to identify how the potential of e‐learning can…

5509

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide description and analysis of how a traditional industry is currently using e‐learning, and to identify how the potential of e‐learning can be realised whilst acknowledging the technological divide between younger and older workers.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory qualitative methodology was employed to analyse three key questions: How is the Australian rail industry currently using e‐learning? Are there age‐related issues with the current use of e‐learning in the rail industry? How could e‐learning be used in future to engage different generations of learners in the rail industry? Data were collected in five case organisations from across the Australian rail industry.

Findings

Of the rail organisations interviewed, none believed they were using e‐learning to its full potential. The younger, more technologically literate employees are not having their expectations met and therefore retention of younger workers has become an issue. The challenge for learning and development practitioners is balancing the preferences of an aging workforce with these younger, more “technology‐savvy”, learners and the findings highlight some potential ways to begin addressing this balance.

Practical implications

The findings identified the potential for organisations (even those in a traditional industry such as rail) to better utilise e‐learning to attract and retain younger workers but also warns against making assumptions about technological competency based on age.

Originality/value

Data were gathered across an industry, and thus this paper takes an industry approach to considering the potential age‐related issues with e‐learning and the ways it may be used to meet the needs of different generations in the workplace.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 54 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2006

Olusegun Folorunso, Oluwafemi Shawn Ogunseye and Sushil K. Sharma

Education delivery via electronic media is becoming relevant in Nigeria educational systems, especially the universities. In spite of this, there are hindrances affecting the…

1542

Abstract

Purpose

Education delivery via electronic media is becoming relevant in Nigeria educational systems, especially the universities. In spite of this, there are hindrances affecting the total acceptability of this technology.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, we investigated these critical factors by analyzing the questionnaires collected from three sampled universities in Nigeria: private, public and state owned universities.

Findings

The results obtained indicated that mass unawareness, low computer literacy level and cost were identified as the critical factors affecting the acceptability of the technology.

Originality/value

Analysis herein has shown the factors affecting the acceptability of e‐learning in Nigeria. The results obtained will assist policy makers by finding solutions to literacy problems in Nigeria.

Details

Information Management & Computer Security, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-5227

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2010

Rachel Aitken

The economic downturn has forced many HR and training managers to find more cost effective ways of providing training to employees. This article aims to examine some of these…

674

Abstract

Purpose

The economic downturn has forced many HR and training managers to find more cost effective ways of providing training to employees. This article aims to examine some of these methods, in particular virtual learning via conferencing.

Design/methodology/approach

The article examines different types of virtual learning methods and looks in depth at how training via conferencing has benefited two educational organizations, City & Guilds and Cambridge Regional College.

Findings

The article shows how virtual learning can provide organizations with cost‐effective training programs.

Originality/value

The methods used in this article offer practical training solutions to HR/training professionals in any organization.

Details

Strategic HR Review, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1475-4398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2017

Mona Jami Pour, Mahnaz Hosseinzadeh, Mohammad Bagherzadeh Azar and Fatemeh Taheri

E-learning is one area of strategic application of information technology (IT) in the educational field. In the past, massive investments in e-learning systems have neither been…

Abstract

Purpose

E-learning is one area of strategic application of information technology (IT) in the educational field. In the past, massive investments in e-learning systems have neither been necessarily effective nor created value for e-learners. As a result, e-learning systems’ evaluation has become critical. Although many researchers have studied e-learning’s performance evaluation, there is little research on e-learning assessment, which uses pedagogical principles and organizational issues along with information systems (ISs) assessment measures. Thus, the purpose of this study is to consolidate multi-dimensional aspects of e-learning evaluation by applying balanced scorecard (BSC) as a strategic performance measurement method. This study further seeks a solution for designing a systematic approach, in which three equally important considerations must be balanced: organization, pedagogy and technology.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces a framework for assessing e-learning systems by using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and BSC. Owing to the growing use of BSC in strategic management, this study applies its four perspectives as a base for performance evaluation. To identify measures of each perspective, a comprehensive literature review has been conducted. Modifying the list of measures is completed in two phases: first by using a focus group consisting of six e-learning experts, and second, by using a survey analysis conducted among 256 Iranian e-learners. FAHP is applied to weigh and determine the rank-order of the measures.

Findings

The results propose integrating pedagogical, organizational and technical measures based on the BSC framework for evaluating e-learning systems. In the proposed framework, effective BSC perspectives and their rank-orders and weights are presented as a guideline for assessing e-learning systems in Iran.

Research implications

In e-learning initiatives, organizational issues must be considered along with technological and pedagogical factors simultaneously. The proposed framework can assist educational institutions and organizations to identify weaknesses and strengths of e-learning projects and guide them to select appropriate strategies for progress.

Originality/value

A review of the e-learning literature shows that there are few substantive theoretical accounts, which adequately integrate multiple dimensions of e-learning evaluation; yet, most researchers view e-learning evaluation as the most difficult part in the e-learning implementation process. This study proposes a new conceptual framework to evaluate e-learning initiatives systematically. The main contribution of this study is to develop a new systematic approach for e-learning systems’ evaluation that integrates two well-established managerial methodologies (BSC and FAHP), and considers pedagogical, organizational and technological aspects synchronously.

Article
Publication date: 5 June 2023

Fazal Uddin Syed and Sikandar Mohd Abdul

The primary purpose of this research paper is to evaluate e-learning among employees of Information Technology (IT) companies based in Hyderabad, India.

Abstract

Purpose

The primary purpose of this research paper is to evaluate e-learning among employees of Information Technology (IT) companies based in Hyderabad, India.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was undertaken among the employees from different IT companies based in Hyderabad, India, to gauge the perception towards e-learning. The participants were selected randomly. The evaluation is based on a few factors: convenience, usefulness, course content, quality, effectiveness and benefits for employees and organizations. The responses were recorded online through a structured questionnaire. In total, 237 responses have been collected for this present study, of which 227 questionnaires were used for analysis.

Findings

The surveyed employees perceived that e-learning helped them enhance their workplace competency in a flexible but effective manner. The e-learning also empowered the learners and ultimately contributed to the enhancement of organizational performance in some ways.

Research limitations/implications

Limitation of the study – by examining the pris study was confined to employees working with IT companies based in Hyderabad City, India. The data is collected online, and there may be some insufficient responses. Implications of the study – the study results show a deep insight into the critical aspects of e-learning as a tool for employee training for the benefit of employees and organizational development. The surveyed respondents from the IT sector at Hyderabad perceived that keys to successful e-learning programs should give due consideration towards availability of internet bandwidth, making the course more interactive, providing more choices to the learners and user-friendly and personalized learning experience. The study also shows that the e-learning programs primarily benefit the employees as well as the organization in a manner, namely, improved productivity, helping to achieve business objectives of the firm, growth and advancement to the employees and enhancing the job-related knowledge. The study also discovered that e-learning improves employees’ opportunities for professional growth and advancement inside and outside the organization by assisting them in learning new skills and enhancing job-related information.

Practical implications

The internet penetration in recent years, as well as post-Covid-19, has given rise to online learning in the education and corporate sectors. The emergence of online or e-learning has been gaining ground in the corporate world by replacing the existing face-to-face or physical training model because of the cost factor and flexible learning to the learners. E-learning improves the learner’s ability to adapt to the company’s constantly changing business environment, which in turn helps the company increase departmental productivity and, ultimately, achieve its overall business goals.

Social implications

The e-learning also empowered the learners and ultimately contributed to the enhancement of organizational performance in some ways. The e-learning also empowers the learner to perform better at his workplace and at the same time moving on the social ladder as the learning makes him/her confident at the job market.

Originality/value

This study provides a valuable understanding of employee perceptions on the adoption and effectiveness of e-learning, which ultimately improves the benefits of the training and development department in realizing and enhancing the quality in corporate companies.

Details

Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 55 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0019-7858

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2005

Consuelo L. Waight and Barbara L. Stewart

To illustrate how the interdependence among four championing factors, five antecedents, and four moderators affect companies' efforts in valuing the adult learner in e‐learning.

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Abstract

Purpose

To illustrate how the interdependence among four championing factors, five antecedents, and four moderators affect companies' efforts in valuing the adult learner in e‐learning.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to identify the championing factors, antecedents, and moderators that can assist teams in designing e‐learning that values the adult learner. A conceptual model was designed based on the identified factors. The paper provides a description of each factor and provides insight on how the championing factors, antecedents, and moderators are interdependent in valuing the adult learner.

Findings

Engagement, learning, and transfer are major outcomes that can be achieved via e‐learning if desirable championing factors, antecedents, and moderators are adhered. Championing factors include leadership, learning culture, technology infrastructure, and finance. Influencing antecedents include needs assessment, learning analysis, work setting analysis, work analysis, content analysis, and task analysis. Moderators include return on investment, learning theory application, technology, and creativity.

Practical implications

The antecedents, moderators, and outcomes discussed reflect a conceptual model that can be used to guide e‐learning teams in their attempts to value adult learners in their e‐learning designs.

Originality/value

While educational theorists and practitioners have provided a body of literature related to valuing adults in school settings, little investigation has been done in corporate contexts. This conceptual model is important to e‐learning teams within corporate settings as it provides an opportunity for critical reflection on how the adult learner can be valued in their e‐learning efforts.

Details

Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 17 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-5626

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2020

Nidhi Phutela and Sunita Dwivedi

This paper will try to uncover how e-learning is giving a new shape to the education industry. Also, it will encompass the students' perspective and experience of e-learning.

1301

Abstract

Purpose

This paper will try to uncover how e-learning is giving a new shape to the education industry. Also, it will encompass the students' perspective and experience of e-learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study employed interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to intensely scrutinize the lived-in experiences of the participants. In the present study, the respondents were selected from Delhi NCR of India. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the primary data to understand the student's perspectives on the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) in education industry.

Findings

The findings have been grouped under two sections referred to as “themes,” which include “drivers for e-learning adoption” and “inhibitors which restrict the adoption of e-learning.”

Practical implications

At present, India does not have a big market for e-learning, but there is huge potential in the country. The present study may be helpful for the educational institutions in India and in similar developing countries in understanding the students' perspectives on e-learning adoption. The educational institutions may improve their systems accordingly so that they can not only retain the students of their own countries but also attract students from other countries for further education.

Social implications

E-learning can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and the cultures to increase the tangibility.

Originality/value

The study will be useful to the policymakers in the higher education sector of developing nations like India, in understanding the students' mindsets. This study makes a contribution to the growing literature on e-learning, where the researchers have determined the relative importance of various motivating and inhibiting factors which influence the adoption of e-learning. Additionally, the study has used IPA as the methodology to determine the factors, which is a novel contribution.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Content available
156

Abstract

Details

Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 43 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0019-7858

Content available
640

Abstract

Details

Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 43 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0019-7858

Article
Publication date: 31 August 2010

Manuela Sarmento

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the contribution of e‐learning in the improvement of quality and productivity in hotels.

1262

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the contribution of e‐learning in the improvement of quality and productivity in hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on an inquiry answered by 34 hotels that are using e‐learning. For this purpose, a survey on five, four and three star hotels, located throughout Portugal, was conducted between January and March 2009.

Findings

The research reveals that hotels consider that e‐learning increases productivity and production volume. On the other hand, e‐learning contributes significantly to employees' motivation. The paper also concludes that managers' opinions about e‐learning strategies are dependent on the hotel category and head‐office nationality.

Originality/value

e‐Learning is based on information and communication technology and supports the educational process. Owing to the important results achieved, e‐learning is continuously gaining relevance in hotels, and in educational institutions. As such, analysing the contribution of e‐learning for quality improvement in hotels brings originality to the research whilst adding value to the body of knowledge in the industry.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 2 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

11 – 20 of over 6000