Abstract:

The importance of workplace learning in contemporary organizations is increasing, which results from the dynamically changing environment and the need to compete based on creativity, new competences and innovation.

Workplace learning is understood as ‘a process whereby people, as a function of completing their organizational tasks and roles, acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enhance individual and organizational performance’ (Hicks et al., 2007). The literature on the subject points to many barriers for workplace learning: financial constraints, lack of access, technological constraints, personal and interpersonal constraints, structural and cultural constraints, content / delivery, power relations, and fast pace of change (Crouse et al., 2011). In small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), most of these barriers are further strengthened due to the specificity of these companies, whose operation is associated with a number of restrictions. Systemic reduction of these barriers would be possible through improvement and development of knowledge management processes.

Empirical research was conducted in selected SMEs, whose aim was to diagnose knowledge management (using the author’s own questionnaire). The obtained results showed which processes require improvement and to what extent, in order not to inhibit workplace learning. The obtained results will help companies consciously shape knowledge management processes so that they support workplace learning.

Keywords:

Workplace learning, knowledge management, small and medium-sized enterprises.