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Enhancing learning in emergency services organisational work
Citation
Owen, C and Brooks, B and Curnin, S and Bearman, C, Enhancing learning in emergency services organisational work, Australian Journal of Public Administration, 77, (4) pp. 715-728. ISSN 0313-6647 (2018) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2018 Institute of Public Administration Australia
DOI: doi:10.1111/1467-8500.12309
Abstract
The paper aims to assist emergency services organisations to learn how to learn so that
managers better understand how to embed effective learning practices and systems into
their organisation’s culture. Learning in emergency services organisations occurs in a range
of contexts. These include after-action reviews, externally led inquiries, and practice-led
research projects. The paper outlines key themes from the work-related learning literature
and introduces a modified experiential learning framework to ground real-world experiences. Interviews were conducted with 18 emergency services practitioners. The findings provide examples of the broad challenges that agencies need to manage to enhance and sustain learning. These include shifting value from action post an event, to reflection, focusing on the bigger picture and allowing enough time to effectively embed new practices after an emergency. No organisation can forgo learning. All experiences provide opportunities for learning to occur. A key insight for agencies interested in facilitating improvements in learning is to locate potential weak links in the learning cycle and to develop a better understanding of how to learn.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | experiential learning, organisational culture, emergency management |
Research Division: | Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services |
Research Group: | Business and Management |
Research Field: | Organisational Behaviour |
Objective Division: | Law, Politics and Community Services |
Objective Group: | Other Law, Politics and Community Services |
Objective Field: | Law, Politics and Community Services not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Owen, C (Dr Christine Owen) |
UTAS Author: | Brooks, B (Associate Professor Benjamin Brooks) |
UTAS Author: | Curnin, S (Dr Steven Curnin) |
ID Code: | 124772 |
Year Published: | 2018 |
Deposited By: | Seafaring |
Deposited On: | 2018-03-08 |
Last Modified: | 2019-03-18 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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