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Purpose: The purpose of this paper aimed primarily at the practitioner is to offer foundational information regarding reciprocal-reflective approach to learning (RRAL). Presentation and explanation include conceptual and theory grounding of the processes to be initiated by a manager for collaboration with an employee. A detailed model reflective of the approach is presented. Conceptual and practice-aimed information may be adapted for training and development. Design/methodology/approach: Explanations of employee learning often place the manager in role(s) of teacher, guide, coach and/or expert. Proposed here is an approach in which manager and individual employee, jointly, make use of a learning approach which is representative of an experiential, action or problem-based form of learning from which they both can learn. The manager can initiate the process in which both participants collaborate to identify some specific, shared learning goals aimed at the matters under consideration. Other goals, likely more personal in the case of each participant, may also be identified and efforts made to help one another attain progress regarding such goals. The RRAL process as explained mirrors a bifurcation of instrumental behaviors (focus on learning activities) and emotional behaviors (caring and sharing resulting in a strengthened relationship and trust). Findings: Relying on research that clearly identifies various supportive behaviors on the part of the manager, a detailed example of a plan is provided. The plan is driven by shared aims, focus, feedback and adjustment. In addition to individual learning goals, the manager has the opportunity to make her/his own role adjustments that lead to positive, supportive actions stimulating the quality of the relationship with the employee including the building of trust. Practical implications: Using the example provided as a guide can be very helpful to a manager with limited experience in instigating employee learning and change. Initial use may be regarded as an experiment subject to much analysis and discussion by both participants as they contemplate how to work together in future reciprocal learning endeavors. Originality/value: Currently, there is little research available that expresses how manager and employee can work as partners on some matter (change, problem, improvement) in a collaborative, reciprocal fashion. This paper, as an example, should demonstrate that skills and knowledge of both participants can improve and progress made regarding the issue at hand. The RRAL can be fashioned by the participants to yield progress and a more positive relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this essay is the provision of a conceptual approach for a manager-as-coach to use for instructional purposes with an employee. Using scenistic materials (cases, incidents, stories), the aim of the essay is to assist the practitioner apply a practical and relatively adaptable instructional approach. While it is intended for application with a single employee, the approach, with modifications, may be used in a small group environment. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology was directed to the study of manager-as-coach, application of a class of instructional tools, theories of constructivism and situated cognition and the joint (manager–employee) implementation of an action guide aimed at learning and performance improvement. Review and coordination of these areas resulted in a detailed guide for action. Findings: Use of scenistic materials for instructional purposes adds to the repertoire of tools for a manager desiring to act in a coaching capacity. A step-by-step program of activities is offered for practical application. Created for experimentation and use is a research result-driven practical guide/action plan. Practical implications: The design of the approach expressed requires the manager-as-coach to prepare for instruction and participate in it to the extent that the manager likely contributes to her/his own knowledge and skills in the areas under study. The step-by-step design not only guides the instructional process, it demands that the participants are fully engaged in creating new knowledge, assumptions and examples of practical implementation of what has been learned. Originality/value: Currently, there is little information or research available to guide a manager in a coaching capacity in the use of situation-based (scenistic) instructional materials. The approach offered in this essay not only considers employee knowledge apprehension but also aims at performance3 improvement in a particular context. Additionally, the approach presented requires dialog, negotiation and focused application, all of which may help the participants improve the quality of their relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to use recent empirical research and theory to help explain how a manager may assume a coaching role to assist employee learning and growth. In the coaching role, performance appraisal and other information may be carefully used as feedback to reinforce growth mindset learning in the service of employee development and engagement in work tasks and in the organization. Design/methodology/approach: Aided by search devices (Psych Articles, Google Scholar, etc.), this study explored several distinct areas of information to include: manager-as-coach, performance management/appraisal, engagement with work, mindsets – fixed and growth, feedback and self-regulation of learning. Across these domains, this study searched for linkages useful in guiding managers to assist employees to learn and change. Findings: Coaching employees to embrace a growth mindset and one's self-regulation of learning has been expressed as a means to improve performance, resiliency, persistence, ability to cope with change and motivation. Practical implications: Explicit, grounded recommendations are offered to assist managers to guide employees to embrace a growth mindset and take charge of their own learning and development. Originality/value: Through examination and coordination of streams of research and theory, the study are able to make reasonably clear some avenues for a manager to attempt to positively influence employee confidence, learning, success and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to present a detailed explication of a learner-centered instructional approach for adults labeled case-based modeling (CBM). The approach is an example of integrative pedagogy aimed at expertise development and is an extension of other instructional approaches, namely, problem-based learning (PBL) and case-based learning (CBL). Design/methodology/approach: The design of the paper contains several integrated components to include: an explanation of the needs and characteristics of the adult learner, comparisons of CBM with both PBL and CBL, a complete theory grounding of the method, a detailed expression of the entire CBM method (phases and steps) for explanation and replication purposes, linkages of CBM with performance, and an empirical test of the CBM method with a sample of employees. Findings: First, the CBM method is an extension of the well-researched methods of CBL and PBL. The script preparation and implementation phases of CBM easily could be appended to either CBL or PBL. Second, the empirical test of the CBM method demonstrates that it may be a positive, efficient tool for education/training with employees, although no significant differences were found in work performance comparisons of CBM-trained employees with traditionally trained employees. Research limitations/implications: The empirical examination has some limitations to include: relatively small sample sizes, lack of demonstration of clear linkage between measures of training performance and measures of job performance, and variations in working conditions of participants. Originality/value: The CBM approach offers to HR practitioners and persons involved with training an efficient yet comprehensive method. The method makes use of script development for the implementation of various interventions, which stimulate performance improvement and development of expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose There have been few attempts to identify valid and efficient self-assessment measures for use by human resource practitioners or line managers to help distinguish job applicants and/or employees who may have a predisposition to offer voluntary helpful behavior, or contextual performance, on the job. This paper (exploratory and correlational) aims to identify measures that are positively and highly related to this valuable work behavior. Findings set the stage for further study and research aimed at creating predictive measures that possess reliable statistical properties.Design/methodology/approach Study design has two components: first, identity and analysis of measures of performance that are broadly supported in research literature; and second, correlational analysis of contextual performance measures with critical self-assessments. No effort to discover cause and effect linkages is reported; only relationships are disclosed.Findings Of the self-assessments examined, two (core self-evaluation and self-efficacy) were found to be positively and significantly related to valid measures of voluntary, helpful organizational behavior, in this case, measures of contextual performance and job dedication.Research limitations/implications The study made no attempt to establish statistically valid predictors of behavior. Sample size was relatively small and consisted of students preparing for a career in accounting.Originality/value Voluntary, helpful employee behavior is valuable in virtually all organizations. Isolated here are two brief and easy-to-administer self-assessments which may assist in the identification of individuals who possess an inclination to offer such behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Much has been written about self-regulated learning (SRL) (including mind-sets) in psychology and education, but little research is found in the HRD or training literature regarding the stimulation of this learning. This paper aims to present a practical training tool, performance templates (P-T), to demonstrate how a line manager may assist employees improve their problem-solving skills as well as stimulate SRL.Design/methodology/approach Presented are literature reviews and assessments of the areas of: line manager in coaching role, SRL theory and the phases of SRL in action. Following is a detailed explanation and demonstration of the P-T method. Finally, the efficacy of PT is examined and constraints are noted.Findings Demonstrated in the paper is how a line manager may function as the key actor in assisting employees to become more effective self-regulating learners and problem-solvers. The method presented can stimulate employee motivation and help employees to internalize self-regulating learning processes. All of this should help employees become more growth-oriented, self-confident and goal-directed participants in organizational life.Originality/value Rather than simply discuss what SRL is about, this paper provides an effective tool, P-T, for use in the stimulation and direction of SLR. The use of the tool also helps organization participants to achieve progress on some current problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine employee-helpful behavior that is voluntary and given freely without anticipation of reward or recognition. The authors have labeled this voluntary behavior in all its forms as v-hob, or voluntary helpful organizational behavior. They seek to define and explain the behavior and attempt to discern measures that will help to discover individual’s predispositions to offer v-hob. Design/methodology/approach – The authors examine current theory/constructs and offer a detailed empirical study in identifying measures that may provide some means for assessing employee predisposition toward helpful, voluntary behavior on the job. The format of the work is reflective of a typical research study with hypotheses. Findings – The authors learned that, within limits, it is possible and practical to identify direct measures to discover one’s predisposition toward v-hob. They also have identified regression equations that use several variables to help predict one’s predispositions toward this valued behavior. Practical implications – This study brings to the manager and/or human resource (HR) practitioner the substance of contextual performance, that is, behavior that goes beyond task performance in the support of individual and organizational goal attainment. This research demonstrates several means by which trainers, managers and HR professionals may assess an employee’s or a recruit’s predisposition to offer voluntary, helpful behavior. Originality/value – This research, unlike most of the empirical, academic research in the domain of contextual performance, speaks directly to practitioners. The authors' definitions, explanations and study clearly demonstrate the practical features of contextual performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]