Learning & Development in Times of Digital Transformation: Facilitating a Culture of Change and Innovation

Abstract

The digital transformation is the very heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is about to change our understanding of doing business, of learning & development in a fundamental way – and with unrivaled speed. However, many companies and individuals hesitate to acknowledge the depth and impact of current developments. We suggest to distinguish four reasons: the striking impact of advanced digitization is not yet fully recognized (1); there is a lack of imagination and strategy, coupled with increasing unpredictability (2); a lack of agility and insufficient encouragement towards innovation (3); and a lack of pertinent competencies and insufficient innovation culture (4). New roles and action areas for Learning & Development (L&D) professionals enable possibilities to overcome these innovation barriers: change agent & consultant; designer of an enriched learning portfolio of products and services; shaper of innovation culture. Also facilitating a learning friendly culture by using different pillars is a way to generate innovation and to secure the existence of organizations in times of digital transformation.