Job Learning in the Hands of New Actors – Challenges for the Innovative Capability of Companies

Abstract

The current developments in the knowledge economic accelerate new paths for innovations in businesses. Their speed requires an increasing knowledge intensity of work content and changing work forms. These work processes increasingly incorporate a type of learning which is frequently informal, uncontrolled and without professional (pedagogical) supervision. New stakeholder groups, far removed from the traditional professions of human resource development, increasingly gain influence and shape these processes. Two operational case studies refer to these new developments and are presented in their role and significance for job learning. In the article an analysis of the amalgamation process of working and learning and the tasks and roles of the stakeholder groups acting for this is advocated. The objective is the competence development of selected stakeholder groups in these work processes and thereby the increase of operational innovative capability.