The Intersection Between Information Systems and Workplace Learning: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

Information Systems (IS) research has extensively studied change in relation to digitalization. However, less attention has been paid to both individual and organizational change from a learning perspective.There is a need for a deeper understanding of how changes are fostered and how and why learning in the circumstances of digital practices occurs. This interdisciplinary systematic review shows how workplace learning has been addressed within IS, bringing together workplace learning theories and the field of IS. The results show that research on the role of knowledge in IS tends to rely on established and conventional theories without explicitly articulating the learning aspects. We call for more IS research that explicitly addresses digital change as learning. This paper provides a research agenda via three research directions for IS researchers interested in work and learning, aiming for a theoretical discussion to advance our field.

A century of retail work training: changes in employers’ instructional video modelling of cashier work in service encounters

“…The division of transactions and customer service in online instructional videos for cashier work appears to perpetuate the gap between IS and workplace learning research, as well as between service and service work (Bowen, 2016; Vallo Hult et al , 2022; Clark et al , 2018). The study findings highlight the need for further research in bridging these gaps and addressing the potential limitations of the current training methods for service workers.…”

“…The division of transactions and customer service in online instructional videos for cashier work appears to perpetuate the gap between IS and workplace learning research, as well as between service and service work (Bowen, 2016;Vallo Hult et al, 2022;Clark et al, 2018).…”

“…Vallo Hult et al (2022) hold that research on the intersection of information systems (IS) and workplace learning is limited. A similar gap exists in the intersection of service, IS, service work and workplace learning (Clark et al , 2018; Bowen, 2016).…”

Work-integrated learning in managers’ cooperative work practices

“…Likewise, there is a need for a deeper understanding of the learning dynamics in cooperative work supported by computational tools. Vallo Hult et al (2022) continue that, despite being a focus in informatics research, workplace learning often leans on conventional theories without explicitly articulating the learning aspects. In addition, in previous computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) and literature, cooperation and computational artefacts are studied heavily, but the work-integrated learning perspective has been less in focus (Stahl, Koschmann, & Suthers, 2006).…”

“…However, to our knowledge, learning that is embedded in library managers' cooperative practices and supported by computational artefacts' use is not extensively addressed. Furthermore, there is not much research on embracing theoretical underpinnings from other fields to enhance our understanding of learning at work (Vallo Hult et al, 2022). Based on the above, the intersection of CSCW, working and learning could open up new paths in research.…”