The role of curiosity in workplace automation

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 29-32
Author(s):  
Alison Horstmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Skill Gaps ◽  
Development Professionals ◽  
Learning Professionals

Purpose This paper describes the ways automation and artificial intelligence are shifting the business landscape and how learning professionals can use curiosity to enhance their own and their organizations' success. Design/methodology/approach A review of theory and research on automation and artificial intelligence, curiosity, and learning and development challenges was conducted. Findings Although technological advancements are already transforming the workplace, the optimal benefits of these technologies will be realized only in collaboration with human capital. In particular, as certain manual and technical skills are replaced by automation, the jobs that remain will require more highly developed social and cognitive skills such as creative problem solving, interpersonal skills and empathy, and adaptability and continuous learning. Practical implications Learning professionals are encouraged to use strategies that leverage the power of curiosity to cultivate the soft skills critical for success in technologically advanced workplaces. Originality/value Technological advancement creates an ever-changing organizational and learning landscape for employees and development professionals. Cost-effective strategies are needed to close the growing skill gaps that result. Curiosity is a helpful tool for growing needed competencies.

Autonomous vehicles: a review of the ethical, social and economic implications of the AI revolution

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shweta Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Autonomous Cars ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThere are ethical, legal, social and economic arguments surrounding the subject of autonomous vehicles. This paper aims to discuss some of the arguments to communicate one of the current issues in the rising field of artificial intelligence.Design/methodology/approachMaking use of widely available literature that the author has read and summarised showcasing her viewpoints, the author shows that technology is progressing every day. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are at the forefront of technological advancement today. The manufacture and innovation of new machines have revolutionised our lives and resulted in a world where we are becoming increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence.FindingsTechnology might appear to be getting out of hand, but it can be effectively used to transform lives and convenience.Research limitations/implicationsFrom robotics to autonomous vehicles, countless technologies have and will continue to make the lives of individuals much easier. But, with these advancements also comes something called “future shock”.Practical implicationsFuture shock is the state of being unable to keep up with rapid social or technological change. As a result, the topic of artificial intelligence, and thus autonomous cars, is highly debated.Social implicationsThe study will be of interest to researchers, academics and the public in general. It will encourage further thinking.Originality/valueThis is an original piece of writing informed by reading several current pieces. The study has not been submitted elsewhere.

Embracing leadership: a multi-faceted model of leader identity development

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 630-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Douglas Muir
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Lay Leadership ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leader Identity ◽  
Development Professionals ◽  
Self Knowledge ◽  
Identity Changes

Purpose – Leadership development has been replete with a skill-based focus. However, learning and development can be constrained by the deeper level, hidden self-knowledge that influences how people process information and construct meaning. The purpose of this paper is to answer the question of how people construct and develop their leader identity. The authors intend to shed light on the critical facets of identity changes that occur as individuals grapple with existing understanding of the self and of leadership, transform them, and absorb new personalized notions of leadership into their identity, resulting in a higher level of confidence acting in the leadership domain. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a grounded theory study of participants and their mentors in a lay leadership development program in a Catholic diocese. The authors inductively drew a conceptual model describing how leader identity evolves. Findings – The findings suggested that leader identity development was not a uni-dimensional event. Rather, it was a multi-faceted process that encompassed three key facets of identity development: expanding boundaries, recognizing interdependences, and discerning purpose. Further, it is the co-evolvement of these three facets and people’s broadening understanding of leadership that led to a more salient leader identity. Research limitations/implications – The model addresses the gap in literature on how leader identity develops specifically. It enriches and expands existing knowledge on leader identity development by answering the question of what specific changes are entailed when an individual constructs his or her identity as a leader. Practical implications – The findings could be used to guide leadership development professionals to build targeted learning activities around key components of leader identity development, diagnose where people are in their leadership journey, set personalized goals with them, and provide pointed feedback to learners in the process of developing their leader identity. Originality/value – The authors provide an in-depth and integrative account of the contents and mechanisms involved in the construction of the leader identity. The authors zero in on the critical transformations entailed in the process to establish and develop a leader identity.

How VUCA is changing the learning landscape – and how curiosity can help

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-8
Author(s):  
Alison Horstmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Development ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Employee Development ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Plausible Mechanism ◽  
Learning Professionals ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to describe four ways learning professionals can harness curiosity to navigate learning environments marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). Design/methodology/approach A review of theory and research on curiosity, VUCA, and learning and development challenges was conducted. Findings When applied to talent development, the attributes of curiosity (inquisitiveness, openness, creativity, and disruption tolerance) can help learning professionals innovate their offerings. Practical implications Organizational development and learning professionals are encouraged to implement measures for harnessing the power of curiosity within their processes to optimize their organizations’ learning programs. Originality/value VUCA has placed significant pressures on learning professionals to continually evolve employee development offerings to keep pace with dynamic organizational skill needs. Curiosity is presented as a plausible mechanism for enabling learning professionals to more successfully navigate these pressures.

scholarly journals Immigrant women, nature and mental health

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-372
Author(s):  
Catherine Anne Nicole Lorentzen ◽  
Berit Viken
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Effective Strategies

Purpose There is a need for cost-effective strategies to counteract mental health challenges among immigrant women. This study aims to identify how nature might improve the mental health status of immigrant women residing in Norway. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data were gathered through individual interviews with 14 immigrant women from Iran (2), Poland (2), Palestine, Afghanistan, Congo, Kenya, Thailand, Russia, Portugal, Latvia, Colombia and Bulgaria. Findings The qualitative content analysis revealed that interaction with nature positively influenced the immigrant women’s mental health. This occurred because of the following: exposure to nature itself, leading to mood enhancements; familiarization with the new country’s culture, nature, climate and language, facilitating feelings of mastery, attachment and belonging; social interactions, promoting immediate well-being and future social support; interacting with nature in familiar ways, reducing feelings of alienation/loss; and physical activity, improving mood and stress-related conditions. These mental health improvements were a result of interactions with various types of natural environments. Originality/value This study supports the promotion of interaction with nature among immigrant women as part of low-cost public health work. Practitioners should consider multiple arenas for potential nature-related mental health gains.

Benchmark report reveals trends in corporate learning and development

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 225-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Little
Keyword(s):  
Business Performance ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Learning Climate ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Learning ◽  
Customer Care ◽  
The Many

Purpose – An outline of the 2015-2016 industry benchmark report produced by Towards Maturity, a benchmarking research company that provides independent advice and support to help organisations use learning technologies to accelerate business performance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the report and highlights some of the key findings from the research – and the conclusions drawn. Design/methodology/approach – A report, making use of research data from more than 600 learning and development (L & D) professionals in 55 countries and inputs from 1,600 learners. It also sets out comments and conclusions by those closely involved in the research. Findings – Among the many findings contained in the report are that: L & D professionals have high aspirations for their role; top performing organisations actively support the self-directed learner, as well as equip their L & D teams to cope with and lead change; evidence from top performing organisations highlights that business leaders now expect more – and different – things from their L & D professionals; and all L & D professionals are responding to the changing corporate learning climate by looking to improve their: efficiency; processes; organisational productivity and engagement; business responsiveness and learning culture. Research limitations/implications – As with all surveys – even those, like this one, which include a significant sample – this report is only as valuable as those surveyed are representative of the L & D sector and of corporate learning. However, the benchmarking survey covers 55 countries and over 2,000 people. Practical implications – This is the 12th year of the Towards Maturity benchmarking study, so this year’s data rests on a wealth of previous data – to provide information on trends in learning and L & D. Moreover, the study’s results show how L & D is changing in its relationship with businesses and business leaders – and how this needs to develop further. Social implications – For L & D professionals, taking advantage of benchmarking – and applying the lessons of research such as those revealed by Towards Maturity – can result in: lower costs – through discovering more cost-effective processes and systems; improved quality in terms of such things as products, services and customer care; and increasing sales and profits – through understanding how to improve functions, operations, products, services, pre- and post-sales customer care, as well as lower costs. Originality/value – No organisation other than Towards Maturity carries out a benchmark survey such as this.

Helping new executives to hit the ground running

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 30-32
Author(s):  
Freelance Writer
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Survey ◽  
Development Professionals ◽  
New Hires ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Mark Byford. Design/methodology/approach – This study discusses findings from a global survey of 500 executives about how well their needs are met by organizations. Findings – This study outlines the importance of providing support for both external and internal hires so that they may integrate into their new roles as quickly as possible. Practical implications – This study provides insight for human resource and learning and development professionals on how to ensure that new hires receive the support they need to adapt quickly to a new role or working environment.

The business and learning benefits of an LCMS

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-193
Author(s):  
Bob Little
Keyword(s):  
Content Management ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Learning Materials ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
Development Professionals

Purpose – An outline of two large organisations’ independent searches for a suitable system that enables them to create, collate and curate digital learning materials, along with updating, managing them and monitoring their use efficiently and effectively. The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges and issues each organisation faces – and sets out how they have overcome them satisfactorily, having reached, independently, a common conclusion. Design/methodology/approach – Two case studies, making use of producer, distributor and user interviews. Findings – Discovering the appropriate learning content management system (LCMS) for your organisation can bring tangible benefits – for the organisation (via improving productivity, efficiency and eliminating “silos” in production), learning and development professionals (in charge of the whole process) and individual workers/learners. Research limitations/implications – The value of a LCMS in meeting business and learning needs – from the points of view of both content creation and accessing learning materials. Practical implications – Implemented successfully, an LCMS can improve learning content developers’ productivity in quantity and quality terms – among other things, through providing a standard framework that produces homogeneity of approach and look-and-feel to the learning materials. This helps improve learning and development professionals’ efficiency and effectiveness. It also enables the organisation to achieve its business targets and goals through developing its people. Moreover, accessing the LCMS through the Cloud means that all the custom-built content produced by third party developers exists on the system. This makes it simpler, easier and faster to update these materials. Social implications – Through the LCMS, learners can access what they need as and whenever they require it. Originality/value – An attempt to discern modern approaches to in-house learning content development through two recent cases.

Embracing the role of artificial intelligence in accounting and finance: contemplating the changing skillset expectations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhumika Gambhir ◽  
Anindita Bhattacharjee
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The Face ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight how Artificial intelligence (AI) and its subsets are changing the face of the accounting and finance (A&F) profession. Expectations from A&F professionals are changing due to the expeditious changes in technology. This paper proposes new skill set expectations from these professionals. Design/methodology/approach This is a viewpoint paper based on the opinions/views of the employees working in medium and large organizations in A&F in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The employee viewpoints were gathered through an emailed questionnaire. Findings This paper illustrates the need to embrace technology and acquire the necessary skills to work in conjunction with machines. This will help A&F professionals to meet the changing expectations of employers. Practical implications This paper emphasizes the usefulness of training, learning, and development of the skills necessary for A&F professionals to work with AI and its subsets. Originality/value This paper discusses how AI will bring in challenges and opportunities in the future. It suggests how A&F professionals can embrace technology (driven by AI) and understand to work with it.

The professional basis of development work: suppose the person you are assisting to learn decides to leave the organization

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-5
Author(s):  
Ian Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Personal Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Development Work ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Development Professionals ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to challenge some assumptions about development work. It raised moral and ethical dilemma facing learning and development professionals. Design/methodology/approach – The article draws on personal experience and theory. It also uses an extract from Sainsbury’s case study. Findings – Learning and development professionals need to consider their role in relation to people with whom they work. Practical implications – The article provides practical advice based on real examples. Social implications – The article is clear about the social implications of one aspect of learning and development work, namely, where the activities of learning and development may cause a person to leave the organization. Originality/value – It appears to be a unique analysis of a real issue, namely, what should learning and development professionals do if a person wants to leave the organization as a result of their learning.

Plasticity-based training: building the ultimate learning organization

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 4-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Merzenich
Keyword(s):  
Learning Organization ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Sports Performance ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Development Professionals ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to introduce talent development professionals to the most recent breakthroughs in the science of neuroplasticity and how those breakthroughs directly apply to building better brains and a true learning organization. Brain plasticity is the ability of the brain to change chemically, physically, and functionally based on sensory and other inputs. Design/methodology/approach Viewpoint based on literature review and author’s own neuroscientific research over the past 30 years. Findings Gains can be made on standard measures of processing speed, attention, memory, and executive function and those changes generalize to standard measures of mood and affect the real-world activities. Benefits, seen in experiments over the past few years for peak sports performance, are now being applied in the workplace Practical implications It is hard to think of any job, where a faster and more accurate brain would not help. Originality/value Many learning and development professionals are not yet aware of the health and performance benefits of plasticity-based training. This paper provides summarized evidence of its efficacy for individuals and organizations.

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