Dimensions of expansion for configuring learning spaces in global work

Hanna Toiviainen (1) , Sahara Sadik (2) , Helen Bound (2) , Pier Paolo Pasqualoni (3) , Padma Ramsamy-Prat (4)

1 University of Tampere [Finland]
2 SUSS - Singapore University of Social Sciences
3 Universität Innsbruck [Innsbruck]
4 FoAP - Formation et apprentissages professionnels

Purpose-Technological innovation and the flexibilisation of labour markets have expanded the pool of workers engaged in globally distributed work. This paper aims to propose an analytical framework to understand and support the productive professional learning of those engaged in global work. Drawing on the theory of expansive learning in the cultural-historical activity theory tradition the study aims to stimulate and enrich the conceptual notion of work as a learning space in the discussion of workplace learning particularly in global work. Design/methodology/approach-Iteration between theory and data is applied to identify the dimensions of expansion for the configuration of learning spaces in global work. Data are drawn from the experiences of 10 professionals selected by purposive sampling in Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and Singapore. Findings-Six dimensions of expansion are identified as challenging and potentially empowering for professionals' configuration of learning spaces in global work: social-spatial, material-instrumental, moralethical, political-economic, personal-professional and temporal-developmental. Originality/value-The conceptual framework for the dimensions of expansion of learning spaces provides the broad strokes for reflexive curricula that democratise the learning and development of

Mots clés: Expansive learning; Cultural-historical activity theory; Global work; Learning space; Narratives of learning; Transnational careers

Domaines: Sciences de l'Homme et Société; Education; Sociologie

Hanna Toiviainen, Sahara Sadik, Helen Bound, Pier Paolo Pasqualoni, Padma Ramsamy-Prat. Dimensions of expansion for configuring learning spaces in global work. Journal of Workplace Learning, 2021, 34 (1), pp.41 - 57. ⟨10.1108/jwl-11-2020-0182⟩. ⟨hal-03918934⟩