Understanding Corporate E-Learning Use: Does Cognitive Style Matter?

Learning is becoming increasingly digital not only in the academic context, but also in the corporate context. Research on how to adapt e-learning courses to the learner’s individual cognitive style is gaining momentum. However, especially in the corporate context, some more basic questions appear to be still unanswered such as whether differences in cognitive style explain differences in corporate learners’ usage behavior. Based on data including both users and non-users of a globally operating professional service firm, I identify differences in behavior and attempt to explain them with cognitive style theory. The findings include distinct pattern in usage behavior, which cognitive style surprisingly does not explain. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.