In the TRADEIT network we are collaborating with the aim of developing the traditional food sector but what does collaboration mean? Collaboration can describe a range of different types of relationships between organisations such as alliances, joint ventures, partnerships and networks and such relationships can be difficult to define due to the uniqueness of the context and individuals involved in each. Broadly speaking however, collaboration can be viewed as a co-operative and coordinated on-going relationship between two or more individuals or organisations attempting to solve problems or take advantage of opportunities. The TRADEIT network will be supported in its collaborative efforts through action learning.

What is action learning and how does it help people learn and solve problems?

Cycles of Action and Reflection

Action learning starts with a challenge or tricky problem you are facing as an individual or company
 
It is about …

Action learning is just as the words suggest: take action; learn from the action – plan further action – learn from that.  However, it is not a simplistic “learning by doing” as sometimes mis-characterised. It is a way of learning with and from others in the course of tackling difficult issues, typically involving a small group of people meeting together to tackle difficult issues through questioning one another, experimentation and reflection.

Action Learning has been shown to be effective in fostering network development. In effective network members learn from each other to their mutual benefit but simply bringing people together and naming the group a ‘network’ does not guarantee that this learning will occur. Yet, learning from each other is key to network members as improvement is fundamental to the competitiveness of networks and requires the participating members to collaborate in identifying and introducing changes. Collaborative strategic improvement may be seen as a cycle of activities in which members of a network can engage together. Linking this cycle with disciplined action learning enables the network to build upon experience generated through collaborative action.  In this way, a network can learn from experience and deploy that learning in the marketplace.

The focus of the AL support within the TRADEIT project is at three specific levels: Level 1) the Project Management Board (PMB), Level 2) the Regional TRADEIT Knowledge and Technology Transfer Hubs and Level 3) the Traditional Food Producing SMEs. Hub advisers are already experts in their field and experienced in working with SMEs, but action learning (AL) can be used by them to enhance their support for the capacity-building of Traditional Food Producing SMEs to incorporate change (new technologies, products and processes) and to develop external relationships with TRADEIT network SMEs and partners. AL will also develop the capacity of the Project Management Board (PMB) to support SME innovation and learning.

The TRADEIT Tools for Collaboration Resource Pack developed by WP5 [Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT) and Trinity College Dublin] will provide a set of resources which will guide members through various aspects of developing and supporting collaboration through action learning. The resource pack will be available on the project website to all members of the TRADEIT network, and will be updated regularly during the project based on feedback from project partners. ITT will be responsible for any updating, but all partners are encouraged to contribute recommendations and changes.

For a detailed example of the use of action learning within pan-European networks see:-
David Coghlan, Paul Coughlan, (2006) "Designing and implementing collaborative improvement in the extended manufacturing enterprise: Action learning and action research (ALAR) in CO-IMPROVE", Learning Organization, The, Vol. 13 Iss: 2, pp.152 – 165
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1545873&show=abstract