How Epistemic Beliefs Influence e-Learning in Daily Work-life

Epistemic beliefs comprise the individual understanding of the nature of knowledge and the creation of knowledge. Hence, they impact the perception of learning opportunities and professional learning activities. Many enterprises apply computer technology in order to support staff development through e-learning activities. However, a closer look at the practices of e-learning reveals that only rarely the potential of educational technology for professional learning is fully utilised. Frequently it is neglected that employees’ subjectivity in particular their epistemic beliefs determines their ways of using educational technology for self-directed learning activities. This contribution reports an empirical study of 256 employees of varying hierarchical status and working in companies of different sizes. The investigation aimed at analysing how epistemic beliefs influence e-learning in daily working-life. The findings indicate that epistemic beliefs impact the quality rather than the amount of professional e-learning. The conclusions offer new impulses for the study of knowledge management.