Title: Experiential learning frameworks for development of dynamic capabilities in project-based technology firms

Authors: Shrihari S. Sohani; Manjari Singh

Addresses: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Personnel and Industrial Relations Area, MSH-104, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad-380015, Gujarat, India ' Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Personnel and Industrial Relations Area, Wing-12D, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad-380015, Gujarat, India

Abstract: Project-based technology firms operating in a dynamic environment have to preserve their firm-specific advantage and also buffer against labour market shocks. Preservation and propagation of tacit knowledge that assists the firm in creating a non-replicable strategic advantage thus becomes vitally important. Due to the nature of tacit knowledge to not get codified, it is difficult for the firm to sustain advantage based on firm-specific tacit knowledge. Experiential learning-based frameworks can aid in resolving this issue. Such methodologies propagate tacit knowledge, shorten the lead time for execution of projects, reduces the time to market for innovative products and also protect against labour shortages by pursuing strategic staffing. In this paper, utilising a case study of a project, we suggest an experiential learning framework for facilitating the development of dynamic capabilities in project-based technology organisations. This framework will assist the firm in preserving tacit knowledge and develop manpower for future projects.

Keywords: experiential learning; job shadowing; tacit knowledge; dynamic capabilities; project-based firms; dynamic environment; technology firms; lead times; time to market; labour shortages; strategic staffing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2016.075459

International Journal of Applied Management Science, 2016 Vol.8 No.1, pp.52 - 67

Received: 27 Nov 2014
Accepted: 01 Aug 2015

Published online: 23 Mar 2016 *

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