Inter‐organisational collaboration for the digital economy

Abstract

Purpose

This paper was intended to explore the concept of learning in networks using recent literature from this emerging field. In order to do so, it takes as a case study a pan‐European e‐learning project, which required collaborative working and learning within a distributed team.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach has been qualitative and exploratory. Data have been collected via interviews with project partners and participant observation of the steering group meetings. Analysis has similarly been qualitative in nature.

Findings

Analysis suggests that there are links with earlier literature on inter‐organisational learning networks, particularly around culture, management style and leadership in virtual collaboration. Interestingly, even supposed “experts” in the field of e‐learning technologies showed a preference to work face‐to‐face.

Research limitations/implications

The research to date has been exploratory and small‐scale. More work is required to test the findings in a wider context.

Practical implications

The findings are believed to have considerable practical value, both for the European Union, as the funding body, but also for one's own practice, and that of others as they attempt to facilitate learning and collaborating in networks.

Originality/value

The paper adds value as it is one of only a small number to approach networked learning from a non‐experimental standpoint. It is also original in its application of the frameworks around network learning and learning in networks, as advanced by Knight in 2002 and Knight and Pye in 2002.

Citation

Houldsworth, E. and Alexander, G. (2005), "Inter‐organisational collaboration for the digital economy", Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, Vol. 20 No. 4/5, pp. 211-217. https://doi.org/10.1108/08858620510603882