Diversifying into technical clothing manufacture as entrepreneurial learning:a situated learning theory perspective

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate analytically how entrepreneurial action as learning relating to diversifying into technical clothing - i.e. a high-value manufacturing sector - can take place. This is particularly relevant to recent discussion and debate in academic and policy-making circles concerning the survival of the clothing manufacture industry in developed industrialised countries. Design/methodology/approach - Using situated learning theory (SLT) as the major analytical lens, this case study examines an episode of entrepreneurial action relating to diversification into a high-value manufacturing sector. It is considered on instrumentality grounds, revealing wider tendencies in the management of knowledge and capabilities requisite for effective entrepreneurial action of this kind. Findings - Boundary events, brokers, boundary objects, membership structures and inclusive participation that addresses power asymmetries are found to be crucial organisational design elements, enabling the development of inter- and intracommunal capacities. These together constitute a dynamic learning capability, which underpins entrepreneurial action, such as diversification into high-value manufacturing sectors. Originality/value - Through a refinement of SLT in the context of entrepreneurial action, the paper contributes to an advancement of a substantive theory of managing technological knowledge and capabilities for effective diversification into high-value manufacturing sectors.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-09-2013-0122
Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Work & Organisational Psychology
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Operations & Information Management
Additional Information: This article is © Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear herehttp://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/JMTM-09-2013-0122. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Uncontrolled Keywords: communities of practice,diversification capabilities,entrepeneurial action,entrepreneurial learning,high-value manufacturing,technological knowledge management,Computer Science Applications,Software,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering,Control and Systems Engineering,Strategy and Management
Publication ISSN: 1758-7786
Last Modified: 04 Jan 2024 18:08
Date Deposited: 05 Jan 2015 09:25
Full Text Link: http://www.emer ... TM-09-2013-0122
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2014-06-02
Authors: Theodorakopoulos, Nick (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-2262-0054)
McGowan, Carmel
Bennett, David (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-1480-8652)
Kakabadse, Nada
Figueira, Catarina

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