Exploring learner and environmental factors in facilitating networked learning within the workplace

Abstract

Purpose: Networked learning facilitates collaboration and learning interactions. This study aims to explore networked learning in the workplace (knowledge sharing and connection building) and gain insights into the contextual factors (learner and environmental) of learning interactions. Design/methodology/approach: Thematic analysis was conducted to explore how learning interactions were facilitated among healthcare workers in a large hospital in Singapore. This study examined both the learner and environmental factors of learning interactions. Interview and focus group discussions qualitative data were included in the analysis. Findings: The findings of this study reveal that more emphasis can be placed on the environmental factors, and targeting these factors would provide a good foundation for networked learning in the workplace, whereas learner factors could be promoted to enhance additional learning interactions. This study also found that workers learn most frequently from experienced seniors, indicating the value of mentorship programmes in fostering high-quality learning interactions. Originality/value: This paper sheds light on the comprehensive set of factors that encourage networked learning among healthcare professionals and provides empirical findings that might direct future studies in similar domains. © 2025, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Environmental factor Learner factor Networked learning Social learning interactions Workplace

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore City, Singapore

The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Funding & Acknowledgements

Institute for Adult Learning, IAL

Funding text 1: Declaration of conflicting interest: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Funding: This study was funded by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), with Project No. WDARF_IAL_GA19-09, through Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.; Funding text 2: Funding: This study was funded by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), with Project No. WDARF_IAL_GA19-09, through Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Nanyang Technological University, NTU

Funding text 1: Declaration of conflicting interest: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Funding: This study was funded by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), with Project No. WDARF_IAL_GA19-09, through Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.; Funding text 2: Funding: This study was funded by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), with Project No. WDARF_IAL_GA19-09, through Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Grant: IAL_GA19-09

Funding text 1: Declaration of conflicting interest: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Funding: This study was funded by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), with Project No. WDARF_IAL_GA19-09, through Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.; Funding text 2: Funding: This study was funded by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), with Project No. WDARF_IAL_GA19-09, through Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

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Exploring learner and environmental factors in facilitating networked learning within the workplace

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