LEARNING NETWORK FOR DEVELOPMENT: A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Learning is of strategic importance and this is confirmed by many researchers. But learning and development can be organized in a wide range of forms. Roughly, these can be categorized into three groups: a top-down planning strategy, a bottom-up driven activation strategy and a network-based learning strategy. Research has shown that learning in networks is more efficient than other types of learning, especially when the traditional forms of inward looking development concepts such as "Business Process Reenginering", "Total Quality Management", proved less successful. In this paper we develop a theoretical framework for a research project in which we will study a learning network for development. The purpose of the project is to increase knowledge and understanding of how learning networks work and what is needed for a development oriented learning network. We also want to explore the possibilities and difficulties in working in a learning network. The issues underlying this study are the following: - How does learning take place in a learning network? - What makes a learning network function efficiently? - What opportunities and difficulties are associated with work in a learning network? The empirical basis for this investigation is a case study focusing on a learning network in Uddevalla, Sweden. In the study we use a number of complementary approaches for data collection.