Improving Transfer-of-Training with Learning Management Systems: Where We Are and Where We Should Be

Because of increased job requirements, workforce flexibility and lifelong learning, corporate training services have grown into a key approach for improving organizational performance. Transfer-of-training is a key output of these services, defined as the application and generalization of new competences at work acquired in training. Today corporate trainings focus on blended learning by combining learning technologies and face-to-face scenarios. Despite the growing prevalence of blended learning, the extent of transfer-of-training support by IT-based learning management system solutions has not yet been sufficiently addressed in research. We first evaluate to which extent the leading learning management system solutions provide support for transfer-of-training. We do so by building on evaluation criteria that have been developed in a process of theory-driven design and industry requirements. Based on the findings we propose areas for future research and development opportunities where evidence based design knowledge is needed to extend the capabilities of learning management systems.