Overcoming Tense Times: Ensuring Training Transfer in Manufacturing

Abstract

Purpose – For training to be successful, it should be transferred back on to the jobs. Despite the range of literature on training transfer, there is the need to gain clarity on how training transfers in complex and contemporary organizational contexts, especially in environments grappled with tensions. The purpose of this paper is to explore and develop a framework on how training transfers in environments of tensions. Design/methodology/approach – An a priori conceptual model was studied utilizing a qualitative approach and a case study strategy. 23 interviews from a Sri Lankan garments manufacturing organization were used for collecting data. The data was analysed using thematic analysis techniques, and NVivo 11 was used for data management purposes. Findings – In environments of process improvements, routine changes occur, often breeding tensions. Training was identified to be a strategic response to tensions (a strategic upskilling mechanism) among seven other strategic responses and five defensive responses exhibited by routine actors. Research limitations – Use of case study strategy and interviews makes the study not t universally generalizable. However, the findings are viewed as contextually related and could be inductively applied with the probability of their relevance to a similar case (Clark, 1998). Research implications - The findings, 1) inform training transfer theory on the importance of understanding the impact organizational routine disruption and tensions have on training transfer; and 2) explains how routines are changed and managed, the role of agency and group dynamics in routines, and the unlearning of routines. Practical implications - The nature of the industry (high market competition) and the function (supply chain) and market pressures can have an impact on the extent and degree of training transfer. Originality/value - The paper is the first known of its kind to offer a framework to study training transfer in situations of routine disruptions and tensions that emanate from contentious change.