Lawlor-Morrison, Natasha (2023) Understanding and developing learning agility. PhD thesis, University of Greenwich.

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Abstract

Learning agility is “the willingness and ability to learn from experience, and to subsequently apply that learning to perform successfully under new or first-time conditions” (De Meuse et al., 2010, p. 120). This meta-competency predicts workplace performance and potential and is critical to success in the current business climate (De Meuse, 2019; Povah, 2012). Learning agility is now considered developable and context-dependent (Harvey and Prager, 2021; Thomas and Harvey, 2021), but little is known about learning agility development. Learning agility theories do not explain how or why learning agility might develop or decline. No research takes intraindividual learning agility measurements to explore its growth or decline. This thesis addresses these knowledge gaps and provides a new theory to explain learning agility development and derailment.

This thesis reports the results of two studies. The first is a longitudinal survey study which follows 138 UK employees for seven months of the Covid-19 pandemic. This study represents the first research to take intraindividual measurements of learning agility over time and provides compelling support for the theory proposed in this thesis. The second study is quasi-experimental and uses mixed methods to explore the impacts of a learning agility intervention (which combines coaching and a workbook). This study shows promising effects of the training, both in participants’ thinking and behaviours. This thesis has generated several novel contributions to the literature. A theoretical framework for learning agility and development is developed and tested. Study 1 demonstrates that learning agility develops (and derails) over time and the factors contributing to this. Study 2 develops and tests an intervention to enhance learning agility. This thesis provides frameworks for researchers and practitioners to understand and improve employee learning agility development. Theoretical and practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	learning agility, experiential learning, talent management, covid-19, resilience, derailment, leadership
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Greenwich Business School Greenwich Business School > School of Management and Marketing
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2025 11:05
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/50655

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