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Innovation Initiatives in Enterprises: Advancing Learning at Work

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Third International Handbook of Lifelong Learning

Part of the book series: Springer International Handbooks of Education ((SIHE))

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Abstract

Innovation initiatives in enterprises often appraise innovation in terms of novelty, but success is better judged by motivation among users to adopt them. Current pedagogies for developing innovation skills and innovation of workplace practices are epistemologically misguided. As a result the risk of failure is high, leading to many finding innovation intimidating.

This chapter examines the factors which improve enterprise success in innovation and the “unlearning” necessary to avoid reverting to former ways of working. Learning how to deliver better outcomes, when the route to their attainment is uncertain, requires a fundamentally different process from when the link between cause and effect is clear. Traditional knowledge transfer “banking” approaches (Friere, 1969) will not work if the answers to “teach” are yet to be found. This “learning paradox” provides the theoretical foundation for a new pedagogy illustrated by successful enterprise innovation initiatives.

We argue that innovation is itself a form of learning, which enterprises must master to create successful new products and ways of working. Success achieves outcomes at levels 3 or 4 in Kirkpatrick’s training evaluation model (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, Evaluating training programs (Vol. Third Edition), 2008), requiring behavior change and improved key performance metrics, respectively. These go far beyond traditional assessments of educational attainment (level 2). Employees learn for work and also “through work” (Billett, Journal of Workplace Learning, 13(5), 209–214, 2001), to acquire skills and develop capabilities to embrace technological and digital disruption. Case studies from Singapore and the United Kingdom show commonalities between different types of innovation initiatives highlighting best practice in the pedagogy of innovation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Mark Neild

  2. Institute for Adult Learning Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Renée Tan

Authors
  1. Mark Neild
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  2. Renée Tan
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Correspondence to Mark Neild .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK

    Karen Evans

  2. Lifelong Learning Institute, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore, Singapore

    Wing On Lee

  3. 3S Research and Consultancy Insitute, Vienna, Austria

    Jörg Markowitsch

  4. Dept of Psychosocial Studies, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK

    Miriam Zukas

Section Editor information

  1. Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore, Singapore

    Wing On Lee

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Neild, M., Tan, R. (2023). Innovation Initiatives in Enterprises: Advancing Learning at Work. In: Evans, K., Lee, W.O., Markowitsch, J., Zukas, M. (eds) Third International Handbook of Lifelong Learning. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67930-9_38-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67930-9_38-2

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-67930-9

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Innovation Initiatives in Enterprises: Advancing Learning at Work
    Published:
    02 December 2022

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67930-9_38-2

  2. Original

    Innovation Initiatives in Enterprises: Advancing Learning at Work
    Published:
    13 August 2022

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67930-9_38-1

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