Introduction:

In a knowledge-based economy the capability to gradually improve and radically innovate is slowly moving upfront. Although, traditional resources like financial capital, materials and physical labour remain important, the special capacity to increase knowledge productivity is gaining serious interest. This workshop invites senior managers, educators, academics, trainers and students in the domains of business administration, organizational psychology and corporate education to participate in a search for suitable designs of favourable learning environments that support knowledge productivity in schools, companies and society.

Workshop Objectives:

Participants explore the implications of an emerging knowledge economy, the role of improvements and innovation, and the related concept of knowledge productivity. Participants discuss the role of formal and informal learning arrangements, and the importance of a well-designed corporate curriculum. Participants engage in design activities that create favourable learning environments for gradual improvement and radical innovation of work processes, products and services in business, public sector as well as in educational institutions.

Workshop Activities:

Welcome, and introduction of the participants, the facilitator and the objectives. Exploring the characteristics of an emerging knowledge economy and the implications for learning, development and organising a conducive learning climate, including the concepts of knowledge productivity, design principles for innovation, the role of the corporate curriculum and social capital, and the implications for leadership and education. Designing learning environments for current issues in the society of Rwanda and its industry, with input from recent research on innovation and learning in networks.

Preparatory work:

Participants are invited to prepare an urgent topic relevant for the society of Rwanda that can serve as case study for the workshop and its design activities.

References:

Kessels, J.W.M. (2001) Learning in Organizations: A corporate curriculum for the knowledge economy. In: Futures. 33, 479-506. (ISSN: 0016-3287.)

Kessels, J.W.M. (2004). The knowledge revolution and the knowledge economy. The challenge for HRD. In J.Woodall, M. Lee, & J. Stewart (Eds.) New Frontiers in HRD. pp.165-179. London: Routledge. (ISBN: 0-415-31237-x)

Harrison, R. & Kessels J.W.M. (2004). Human Resource Development in a knowledge economy. An organizational view. Hampshire � New York: Palgrave Macmillan. (301 p.) (ISBN: 0-333-99015-3)

Kessels, J.W.M. & Poell, R.F. (2004) Andragology and social capital theory: the implications for Human Resource Development. Advances in HRD. 6 (2) 146-157. (ISSN: 1523-4223)

Kessels, J.W.M. & Kwakman. K. (2007). Interface: Establishing knowledge links between higher vocational education and business. Higher Education. An International Journal of Higher Education and Educational Planning. 54 (5) 689-703 (ISSN: 0018-1560)

Keursten, P., Verdonschot, S., Kessels, J.W.M. & Kwakman, K. (2006). Relating learning, knowledge creation and innovation: Case studies into knowledge productivity. International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 3 (4), 205-220.