A review was conducted of literature addressing learning in work, focusing on relations between individual and collective learning published in nine journals during the period 1999—2004. The journals represent three distinct fields of management/ organization studies, adult education and human resource development; all publish material about workplace learning regularly. In total, 209 articles were selected for content analysis, containing a range of material including reports of empirical research to theoretical discussion. Eight themes of individual—collective learning were identified through inductive content analysis of this literature: individual knowledge acquisition, sense-making/reflective dialogue, levels of learning, network utility, individual human development, individuals in community, communities-of-practice and co-participation or co-emergence. The discussion highlights similar issues stated in the different journals about understanding individual—collective learning, the apparent lack of dialogue across the fields, the ontological and ideological differences among the themes of learning currently in circulation and the low frequency of analysis of power relations in the articles reviewed.
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2.
Bates, R. and Holton III, E.F. (2004) `Linking Workplace Literacy Skills and Transfer System Perceptions', Human Resource Development Quarterly15(2): 153-70.
3.
Billett, S. (2004) `Workplace Participatory Practices: Conceptualising Workplaces as Learning Environments', Journal of Workplace Learning16(5/6): 312-25.
4.
Bogenrieder, I. and Nooteboom, B. (2004) `Learning Groups: What Types are There? A Theoretical Analysis and Empirical Study in a Consultancy Firm', Organization Studies25(2): 287-99.
5.
Brady, T. and Davies, A. (2004) `Building Project Capabilities: From Exploratory to Exploitative Learning', Organization Studies25(9): 1601-14.
6.
Bratton, J., Helms Mills, J., Perch, T. and Sawchuk, P. (2003) Workplace Learning: A Critical Introduction. Toronto: Garamond Press.
7.
Brown, J.S. and Duguid, P. (2002) `Local Knowledge: Innovation in the Networked Age' , Management Learning33(4): 427-38.
8.
Cabrera, A. and Cabrera, E.F. (2002) `Knowledge-sharing Dilemmas', Organization Studies23(5): 687-701.
9.
Clardy, A. (2000) `Learning on Their Own: Vocationally Oriented Self-directed Learning Projects', Human Resource Development Quarterly11(2): 105-25.
10.
Cule, P.E. and Robey, D. (2004) `A Dual-motor, Constructive Process Model of Organizational Transition', Organization Studies25(2): 229-40.
11.
Currie, G. and Kerrin, M. (2004) `The Limits of a Technological Fix to Knowledge Management: Epistemological, Political and Cultural Issues in the Case of Intranet Implementation', Management Learning35(1): 9-29.
12.
Davis, B., Sumara, D. and Luce-Kapler, R. (2000) Engaging Minds: Learning and Teaching in a Complex World. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
13.
Driver, D. (2002) `Learning and Leadership in Organizations: Toward Complementary Communities of Practice', Management Learning33(1): 99-127.
14.
Easterby-Smith, M., Crossan, M. and Nicolini, D. (2000) `Organizational Learning: Debates Past, Present and Future', Journal of Management Studies37(6): 783-96.
15.
Elkjaer, B. (2003) `Organizational Learning with a Pragmatic Slant' , International Journal of Lifelong Education22(5): 481-94.
16.
Engeström, Y. (2004) `New Forms of Learning in Co-configuration Work' , Journal of Workplace Learning16(1/2): 11-21.
17.
Enos, M.D., Kehrhahn, M.T. and Bell, A. (2003) `Informal Learning and the Transfer of Learning: How Managers Develop Proficiency', Human Resource Development Quarterly14(4): 369-87.
18.
Fenwick, T. (2001) `Tides of Change: New Themes and Questions in Workplace Learning', in T. Fenwick (ed.), Sociocultural Perspectives on Learning through Work, pp. 3-17. San Francisco : Wiley/Jossey-Bass.
19.
Filstad, C. (2004) `How Newcomers Use Role Models in Organizational Socialization', Journal of Workplace Learning16(7/8): 396-409.
20.
Gherardi, S. (2000) `Practice-based Theorizing on Learning and Knowing in Organizations', Organization7(1): 211-23.
21.
Gherardi, S. and Nicolini, D. (2000) `To Transfer is to Transform: The Circulation of Safety Knowledge', Organization7(2): 329-48.
22.
Grabher, G. (2004) `Temporary Architectures of Learning: Knowledge Governance in Project Ecologies', Organization Studies25(9): 1491-514
23.
Hager, P. (2004) `Lifelong Learning in the Workplace? Challenges and Issues', Journal of Workplace Learning16(1/2): 22-33.
24.
Huzzard, T. (2004) `Communities of Domination? Reconceptualising Organisational Learning and Power', Journal of Workplace Learning16(5/6): 350-61.
25.
Jacobs, R.L. and Washington, C. (2003) `Employee Development and Organizational Performance: A Review of Literature and Directions for Future Research', Human Resource Development International6(3): 343-54.
26.
Jørgensen, C.H. (2004) `Connecting Work and Education: Should Learning be Useful, Correct or Meaningful?', Journal of Workplace Learning16(7/8): 455-66
27.
Keegan, A. and Turner, J.R. (2001) `Quantity Versus Quality in Project-based Learning Practices', Management Learning32(1): 77-99.
28.
Lehesvirta, T. (2004) `Learning Processes in a Work Organization: From Individual to Collective and/or Vice Versa?', Journal of Workplace Learning16(1/2): 92-101.
29.
Letiche, H. and van Mens, L. (2003) `Dyslogistic Information Ecologies', Management Learning34(3): 329-40.
30.
Livingstone, D.W. (2001) `Worker Control as the Missing Link: Relations Between Paid/Unpaid Work and Work-related Learning', Journal of Workplace Learning13(7/8): 308-17.
31.
Livingstone, D.W. and Sawchuk, P. (2003) Hidden Knowledge - Organized Labour in the Information Age. Toronto: Garamond Press
32.
Morris, G. and Beckett, D. (2004) `Learning for/at Work: Somali Women "Doing it for Themselves"', Journal of Workplace Learning16(1/2): 75-83.
33.
Mulcahy, D. (2005) `Between Work and Learning: Pedagogic Practice and the Missing Middle', in Proceedings of the International Researching Work and Learning Conference. Sydney: University of Technology Sydney. URL (consulted 6 February 2007): http://www.projects.education.uts.edu.au/RWL4/conf_results.lasso
34.
Mutch, A. (2003) `Communities of Practice and Habitus: A Critique' , Organization Studies24(3): 383-95.
35.
Nafukho, F.M., Hairston, N.R. & Brooks, K. (2004) `Human Capital Theory: Implications for Human Resource Development', Human Resource Development International7(4): 545-51.
36.
Poell, R.F. and van der Krogt, F.J. (2003) `Learning Strategies of Workers in the Knowledge-creating Company', Human Resources Development International6(3): 387-403.
37.
Reedy, P. (2003) `Together We Stand? An Investigation into the Concept of Solidarity in Management Education', Management Learning34(1): 91-110.
38.
Salling Olesen, H. (2001) `Professional Identity as Learning Processes in Life Histories', Journal of Workplace Learning13(7/8): 290-8.
39.
Scarbrough, H., Swan, S., Laurent, S., Brenen, M., Edelman, L. and Newell, S. (2004) `Project-based Learning and the Role of Learning Boundaries', Organization Studies25(9): 1579-600.
40.
Snell, R.S. (2002) `The Learning Organization, Sensegiving and Psychological Contracts: A Hong Kong Case', Organization Studies23(4): 549-65.
41.
Straka, G.A. (2000) `Conditions Promoting Self-directed Learning at the Workplace', Human Resources Development International3(2): 241-51.
42.
Suchman, L. (2007) Human-Machine Reconfigurations: Plans and Situated Actions, 2nd edn. New York: Cambridge University Press.
43.
Svensson, L., Ellström, P-E. and Åberg, C. (2004) `Integrating Formal and Informal Learning at Work' , Journal of Workplace Learning16(7/8): 479-92.
44.
Swan, J., Scarbrough, H. and Robertson, M. (2002) `The Construction of "Communities of Practice" in the Management of Innovation', Management Learning33(4): 477-97.
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Tempest, S. and Starkey, K. (2004) `The Effects of Liminality on Individual and Organizational Learning', Organization Studies25(4): 507-27.
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Vince, R. and Saleem, T. (2004) `The Impact of Caution and Blame on Organizational Learning', Management Learning35(2): 133-55.
47.
Wenger, E. (2000) `Communities of Practice and Social Learning Systems' , Organization7(2): 225-46.
48.
Weithoff, C. (2004) `Motivation to Learn and Diversity Training: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior', Human Resource Development Quarterly15(3): 263-78.
49.
Wood, M. and Ferlie, E. (2003) `Journeying from Hippocrates with Bergson and Deleuze' , Organization Studies24(1): 47-64.
50.
Yanow, D. (2000) `Seeing Organizational Learning: A "Cultural" View' , Organization7(2): 247-68.
