Learning together, working together in the "Learning factory"

This research project, funded under the Australian Research Council SPIRT program, is investigating the links between organisational learning and performance. It is exploring the management of innovation, the implementation of improvements and the interface between systems, processes and technology in automotive components manufacturing. We are attempting to identify sources of knowledge available to manufacturers and to explore processes by which employees, suppliers and customers contribute to, and benefit from, internal process improvements. The links between organisational learning and performance are being examined over two years through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research into the processes and management of improvement activities. The project is building on previous international research, developed for Australia. While Australian manufacturers share important characteristics with those of the UK and USA as part of the global automotive industry, it is expected that local economic and institutional features will inform important variations in practice and form. This paper describes the methodology being used, outlines our progress to date and presents a summary of our interim findings.