Title: The web learning system of 'Virtual eBMS': a tool supporting unstructured and just-in-time learning

Authors: Gianluca Elia, Giustina Secundo, Cesare Taurino

Addresses: e-Business Management Section, Scuola Superiore ISUFI, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy. ' e-Business Management Section, Scuola Superiore ISUFI, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy. ' e-Business Management Section, Scuola Superiore ISUFI, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy

Abstract: In the era of the Global, Digital and Knowledge-based Economy, a just-in-time access to learning content, as well as an efficient way to access increasingly distributed knowledge sources, is required in order to solve the problem of |knowledge obsolescence|. In this scenario, traditional web learning systems are no longer adequate and need a strong integration with Knowledge Management (KM) systems, in order to trigger just-in-time/at workplace/customised/on-demand and unstructured learning processes, in place of an old-fashioned time/place/content predefined ones. In this paper, we describe the main pillars underpinning an innovative approach to web learning based on the above-mentioned principles. Moreover, we provide a detailed representation of the web learning component of |Virtual eBMS|, a web-based system designed and implemented at the e-Business Management Section of the Scuola Superiore ISUFI, University of Salento (Italy). In particular, we describe the content-oriented and the service-oriented perspectives of the implemented system by highlighting its innovative elements with respect to a traditional web learning system.

Keywords: web learning; knowledge management; unstructured learning; just-in-time; JIT learning; organisational memory; virtual organisations; e-business; electronic business; business management; Italy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2009.022972

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2009 Vol.6 No.2, pp.140 - 160

Published online: 05 Feb 2009 *

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