How to Improve Learning at Work? : A Case Study of an Interactive Learning Activity with Virtual Knowledge Sharing

Sammanfattning: This project is a case study conducted at Ericsson where a new type of learning activity has been tested. The reason for conducting this study is that Ericsson together with other companies within the technology field faces a significant challenge to acquire knowledge fast enough to keep up with new trends and technological developments. The main research questions in this study are how the participants experience these learning activities and what the most important factors are for successful learning within this context. Further, it is investigated how these learning activities are affected when they are scaled from one to many locations with interactive video conferencing rooms. Data were collected in a four-month period, and the data consisted of qualitative interviews, observations, questionnaires and impressions perceived during the time spent in Ericsson’s office. Given this collected data, the direction of the study changed during the study’s duration, since new questions arose that needed to be answered. The results indicate that the interaction changes when video conferencing tools are used, the number of interaction decreases; however, there are indications that the quality of content increases. The participants believe that interaction is an essential part of learning, and to create a safe environment for having discussions and for asking questions. Further, motivation and expectations seem to be crucial factors for successful learning activities. The analysis of these results implies that clear information, planning and a high level of structure in the implementation is required for a truly interactive learning environment to exist, in particular, if more than one location is participating. To make it possible for the participants to prior their personal development, it seems to help them to set the right expectations in prior is important. Furthermore, the social aspect regarding relations and the possibility to build personal networks seems to become the ground for motivation and attitude when it comes to participating. In conclusion, the studied activity of interactive learning seems to be a way forward for Ericsson to face technical development and new trends in the market since this is a way of creating awareness and giving a broader perspective. This activity can, with support from the theoretical perspectives, be seen as a starting point for learning, where the process for each continues afterwards. For Ericsson to continue to develop this interactive learning activity, recommendations are given at the end of this report for further improvements.