Approaches to learning at work and workplace climate

Abstract

Three studies are reported concerning employees' approaches to learning at work and their perceptions of the workplace environment. Based on prior research with university students, two questionnaires were devised, the Approaches to Work Questionnaire (AWQ) and the Workplace Climate Questionnaire (WCQ). In Studies 1 and 2, these questionnaires were administered to two different samples of employees, and the factor structure of the questionnaires was explored. In Study 3, the two data sets were combined, and a random half of it was used to develop reduced sets of items that addressed selected factors for each of the questionnaires. The other half of the data was used to test the scales developed. For the AWQ, three factors are proposed: deep, surface-rational, and surface-disorganised. The first of these is consistent with the student learning literature, but the other two represent a division of a unitary surface factor. The three components of the WCQ are good supervision, choice-independence, and workload. Correlations between scales indicated that the deep approach is positively associated with good supervision and choice-independence, whereas the surface-disorganised approach is negatively associated with these two constructs and positively associated with workload. Surface-rational is negatively, though less strongly associated with choiceindependence. Suggestions are presented for use of these instruments in future research and practice.

Learning under pressure: learning strategies, workplace climate, and leadership style in the hospitality industry

“…In fact, as several studies have shown, differential effects of the task environment may affect learning strategies (e.g., Nijhuis et al, 2005;Kirby et al, 2003). Our study uses Biggs' conceptualisation of learning strategies to measure employee workplace learning.…”

“…Based on Biggs' conceptualisation of learning strategies, which originated in the context of higher education, Kirby et al (2003) proposed three approaches to measure employee workplace learning strategies.…”

“…The results of this study in an MBA setting indicate that perceptions of learning opportunities depend to a significant extent on a deep learning strategy. Kirby and colleagues (Delva et al, 2002(Delva et al, , 2004Kirby et al, 2003) studied learning conditions in the workplace and found that favourable conditions were characterised by a high quality of supervision, independent choice by employees, and a heavy workload (Kirby et al, 2003). Furthermore, Kirby et al (2003) found that a deep learning strategy shows a positive relationship to leadership style and independent choice.…”

“…This strategy is characterised by a disaffection for the work environment and a sense of incompetence in executing work tasks. Both studies (i.e., Kirby et al, 2003;Delva et al, 2004) found that employees experiencing a heavy workload and working under pressure will likely have a surface-disorganised learning strategy. In addition, these studies found a significant negative correlation between workload and a surface rational learning strategy.…”

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Study Process Questionnaire in an Australian osteopathy student population

“…These include the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory, 7 the Approaches to Learning at Work, 8 and the widely used Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ). 1 The SPQ was developed by Biggs et al 1 as a way evaluating student learning strategies, and using this information as part of a quality assurance program, identify students who may need assistance, and to evaluate innovations in teaching and assessment.…”