Abstract:
~ This study focuses on the process of self-directed learning that individuals go
through as they adapt to new work situations. This is a study of how one critical incident,
specifically the transition from a traditional office structure to a home office structure,
affected employees and what their learning process was as they adapted to the new
environment. This study has 3 educational foundations: adult learning, self-directed
learning, and the social context from which the learning will occur.
Six women and 2 men were interviewed approximately 1 year following the
transition. Analysis of the data revealed 5 themes of: impacts of the self-directed
environment on participants' personal lives, their roles, skill set, productivity, and the
physical environment; support offered by the organization, family, and office
administration; personal development, specific learning needs, and personal skills;
boundaries as they relate to family and work; and skill set and orientation requirements of
new home office employees.
The findings revealed the learning processes of the 8 participants. The learning
processes of these participants were discussed within a theoretical framework of the
learners, their immediate surroundings, and the larger social environment. The results
indicated that the transition from a directed work environment to a self directed work
environment is a complex, interrelated process. An element found throughout the
theoretical framework is that of control. A second critical element is the need for
participants to have a clearly defined work role and an opportunity to engage in
discussion with peers and the community. Further findings reinforced the importance of
climate and found that the physical environment is a key factor in a successful selfdirected work environment. The findings of this study revealed that no one factor makes
an individual function successfully in a self-directed work environment, but that it is a
complex interplay among the leamer, their immediate surroundings, and the social
environment that will have the greatest impact on success.
Recommendations are made which can be used to guide organizational leaders in
facilitating employees' transition from a directed to a self-directed work environment.
Additionally, recommendations are made for further research in the area of self-directed
work environments.
