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Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the learning processes among employees on large dairy farms and investigates the potential for learning and employee-driven innovation (EDI) to contribute to sustainable dairy production from the perspectives of animal welfare, social responsibility and economic aspects.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through semi-structured group interviews with employees on three large dairy farms in Sweden. The interview material was analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis and linked to theories on routinised and reflective learning at the workplace.FindingsEmployee learning on large dairy farms was strongly related to the individual’s work tasks and often took place in situations where the aim was to find a practical solution to maintain work routines. Learning in these agricultural settings was largely a social process. It was mostly based on the experiences of employees and colleagues, and focused on routinised learning rather than reflective learning.Originality/valueThis study examines the learning environment for employees on large dairy farms and suggests ways to develop reflective learning and EDI in this context. Further studies are required from both the advisor and farmer perspectives to comprehensively understand the learning dynamics in such agricultural settings, including the role of advisors and how they can contribute to reflective learning in the current context.

Keywords

Dairy farm; Workplace learning; Employee-driven innovation; Routinised learning; Reflective learning; Animal welfare; Dairy employee

Published in

The journal of workplace learning
2025, volume: 37, number: 9, pages: 75-89

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Work Sciences

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-11-2024-0257

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/141936