Conversations to solutions: Exploring the role of social interaction in the workplace.

Abstract

Purpose- This research explores the role of social interaction in the learning and development of employees. Further, determine the relevance of the transfer and exchange of knowledge to develop novel approaches and solve unforeseen problems of an organization to remain competitive in the market.

Study Design/Methodology/Approach - The unstructured, in-depth interview approach under the qualitative research paradigm is used to gather data from employees of the manufacturing and service sectors. The theories of situated learning, community learning, and organizational learning underpin the study.

Findings- Data findings depicted that social interaction in organizational settings has an instrumental role in employees' performance. Further, findings identify that the transfer of knowledge based on formal training programs provides a set of knowledge that is not sufficient for organizations to remain competitive in the market, whereas the exchange of knowledge based on constructive social interaction discussion encourages employees to develop novel ideas and resolve unforeseen problems of their firms to get a competitive edge. Moreover, the exchange of knowledge is an indispensable element in an individual's learning, which is mostly ignored by many organizations causing the failure of firms amid throat-cutting competition.

Research Implications- The study opens new avenues for researchers to expand their research to identify further dimensions and programs of social interaction linked with individual learning. It provides an in-depth understanding and activities of employees' social interaction to practitioners to solve their startling problems and develop innovative thoughts to lead in the market.

Originality/Novelty- This is one of the few research studies that have been conducted in the context of Pakistan.