Competencies acquisition through self-directed learning among Malaysian managers
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how Malaysian managers acquire job competencies through self-directed learning activities at their workplace. Specifically it aims to investigate what types of job competencies are required for the managers, how they learn to acquire those compete...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2008
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/2769/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/2769/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/2769/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/2769/1/Journal_of_Workplace_Competencies_acquisition.pdf |
| Summary: | Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how Malaysian managers acquire job
competencies through self-directed learning activities at their workplace. Specifically it aims to
investigate what types of job competencies are required for the managers, how they learn to acquire
those competencies, and whether the managers have the self-directed learning attributes and
capability to acquire job competencies by self-directed learning activities.
Design/methodology/approach – The data were collected through survey. The survey adapted
the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) developed by Guglielmino. In total 238
respondents participated in this study.
Findings – The findings show that the respondents have identified communication, managerial, and
job knowledge as the main competencies required for their jobs. Most of these competencies are
acquired through on-the-job training, working as part of a team and self-education. The findings also
reveal that the respondents do possess the attributes of self-directed learners.
Research limitations/implications – The findings support previous research. Given the different
cultural background of the Malaysian managers, their ways of learning are similar to those of Western
managers. Future research can investigate how employees in other professions learn on their jobs and
what other factors may influence self-directed learning.
Practical implications – Given the emphasis being placed on the importance of work place
learning, it is timely to advance a workplace curriculum by integrating the everyday learning
experiences and guided learning strategy in the organisation, so that the employees’ learning can be
facilitated more effectively.
Originality/value – The paper includes the different cultural context of how Malaysian managers
learn. |
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