A design framework for ecosystems that facilitate continuous employee skill development

A theoretical integration of interorganisational skills learning communities, modern sociotechnical systems, and network theory

  • Koen Nijland Saxion University of Applied Sciences & University of Twente
  • Paul Preenen TNO and Saxion University of Applied Sciences
  • Luuk Collou Saxion University of Applied Sciences
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46364/ejwi.v10i1.1435

Abstract

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the continuous development of employee skills is an important driver for innovation and performance in the workplace. However, employee skillsets are often inadequate, posing a challenge for organisational innovativeness and performance. Although concepts and instruments at the organisational level are helpful, organisations need additional methods to facilitate continuous skill development. Interorganisational skills learning communities (ISLCs) have recently emerged in Europe to address this need, presenting a promising approach to enhance employee skill development. Nevertheless, designers and employees face significant challenges in ensuring long-term skill development through ISLCs. Treating ISLCs as dynamic interorganisational ecosystems that must adapt to changing contexts is essential, but learning community literature currently lacks specification on how adaptive and effective ISLCs can be designed.

In the present paper, we present a novel and comprehensive ISLC design framework underpinned by modern-sociotechnical systems theory (MSTS), network theory, and state-of-the-art literature on skills learning communities. Accordingly, an adaptable and effective ISLC can be achieved through (1) distinction of different design levels, (2) distinction between design of a learning structure and governance structure, (3) pursuit of a specific design sequence, (4) clusters of micro learning communities (LCs), and (5) an iterative, interactive and multi-level design of feedback loops. The resulting design framework breaks new ground for interorganisational learning community theory-building and offers a novel direction for researchers, HRD practitioners and policy makers to address HRD problems in today’s changing business environment. More research should be conducted on the validation of this conceptual design framework.

Keywords: interorganisational skills learning communities (ISLC), ecosystems, modernsociotechnical
systems (MSTS), network theory, workplace innovation, continuous skill development, Industry 5.0.

Author Biographies

Koen Nijland, Saxion University of Applied Sciences & University of Twente

Koen Nijland is a researcher at the Employability Transition research group of Saxion University of Applied Sciences and a PhD candidate at the Manufacturing Systems chair of the University of Twente. His research combines the fields of organizational design, work design and human-centered technology for the design of human centered manufacturing systems.

Paul Preenen, TNO and Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Dr. Paul Preenen is senior researcher at TNO, Sustainable Productivity and Employability, and Professor of Applied Sciences in Human Capital at Saxion University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on organizational behaviour, and consequences of technology for organizations, management, and employees.

Luuk Collou, Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Dr. Luuk Collou is a senior researcher strategic human resource management at Saxion University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on shaping employee behaviour through HRM, stimulating a climate of learning within organizations, and HR analytics.

Published
2025-06-27
Issue
Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025): General Issue
Section
Articles

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