Project Team: Ms. Jennifer Hussey ([email protected]), Dr. Mary T. Holden ([email protected]), Dr. Felicity Kelliher ([email protected])
This project was funded by Fáilte Ireland, it had a lead time of 18 months, and commenced in February 2008.
The Project Aim:
The tourism learning network (TLN) initiative was a nationwide multi-modular learning programme developed by Fáilte Ireland, to meet the learning needs of tourism SME owner-managers. Although internal evaluation of each of the six TLN regions had been provided for, a more holistic assessment of the TLN initiative had not previously been addressed, that is, the modelling of ‘best practice’ for the development and sustainability of a successful TLN. In aiming to identify the key practices that enhance learning in a learning network context, a number of critical aspects were examined:
• The role played by learner’s individual characteristics, such as their motivation, belief on their own ability to learn and their expectations of learning, was still largely unknown;
• There was a lack of understanding of the importance of the type of facilitation provided (consultancy or academia based);
• The learner’s perspective on the means of delivery of the TLN initiative and on the value of the content had previously not been addressed;
• It addressed the difficulty in the past in assessing the initiative at a nationwide level both in terms of the process and the content.
• It provided a benchmark and means for measuring changes in the learners’ knowledge, skills, managerial capabilities and personal self-development.
Methods:
This projects research team designed a conceptual framework for the evaluation of the programme informed by previous research on learning and networks to develop a research design that utilised a quantitative instrument to measure the learning outcomes. It involved both a nationwide postal survey and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders involved in the TLN design, blended delivery and implementation.
Engagement Activity:
Findings from interviews with key stakeholders in the design and development of the initiative formed the basis of the evaluation to follow, as Fáilte Ireland personnel highlighted their interest in establishing best practices and tourism practitioners emphasised the application of learning as an outcome of specific interest.
Impact:
This applied research had a significant impact on policy and practice in terms of the Irish tourism body supports to industry:
• It has established that the TLN initiative has achieved the learning targets;
• The level of learning reported suggests there is considerable room for improvement and through the modelling of TLN ‘best practice’ specific recommendations to support future TLNs and similar developmental initiatives are forthcoming;
• Enhanced understanding of SME owner-manager learning can now be leveraged, with the potential to extend the outcomes to other learning initiatives;
• More focused TLN content tailored for SME owner-managers;
• The dissemination of the applied knowledge in both practitioner based and peer reviewed academic journals.
RIKON 2013.