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Collaborate to Innovate: 20 Years of Network Action Learning Insights

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, CEOs, CHROs, and procurement leaders face unprecedented challenges like supply chain disruption, sustainability goals, and workforce transformation. Network Action Learning (NAL) is emerging as a powerful tool to address these complexities through collaborative, inter-organizational learning. By bringing together diverse organizations to co-create solutions, NAL drives innovation, improves processes, and fosters collective problem-solving.

What is Network Action Learning (NAL)?

NAL builds on Action Learning (AL), a process where individuals learn through action by reflecting on their experiences. In an inter-organizational context, NAL goes beyond individual or internal learning by creating collaborative networks between organizations. This framework allows companies to jointly solve problems and share best practices, fostering collective growth across industries.

Key Concepts from 20 Years of Research

According to the paper "Action Learning: Towards a Framework in Interorganizational Settings Revisited" by Paul Coughlan and David Coghlan, NAL has evolved over the past two decades, with key concepts driving its relevance:

  1. Action Learning Research (ALR):ALR merges action learning with research, focusing on creating actionable knowledge through practical interventions. This is especially valuable for organizations looking to generate insights that directly inform strategy and operations.

  2. Praxeology (Theory of Action):A critical component of NAL, this theory integrates programmed learning (P) and questioning (Q) to derive insights. It emphasizes that real learning comes through action, reflection, and continuous improvement.

  3. Scalable Learning Across Networks:NAL’s strength lies in its scalability. Organizations can apply lessons learned across multiple networks and regions, making it ideal for large-scale initiatives like sustainability efforts or global supply chain management.

The Impact of NALP and CO-IMPROVE Projects

Two pioneering projects demonstrate the power of NAL in real-world applications:

  1. National Action Learning Programme (NALP):

    • Objective: Enhance the operations of Irish firms through collaborative action learning.

    • Impact: Six organizations worked together to share operational strategies, resulting in rapid transformation and helping these firms reach world-class operational standards.

  2. CO-IMPROVE Project:

    • Objective: Implement continuous improvement across European supply chains.

    • Impact: Through inter-organizational collaboration, CO-IMPROVE enhanced supplier relationships and operational efficiency across industries. The project codified best practices that are now widely applied across European supply chains.

Why CEOs, CHROs, and Procurement Leaders Should Care

  1. For CEOs:NAL provides a strategic framework for industry-wide collaboration, enabling organizations to innovate faster and stay competitive. It helps leaders address complex challenges like sustainability, technology disruption, and operational inefficiencies by leveraging collective knowledge.

  2. For CHROs:NAL promotes leadership development and organizational learning on a larger scale, supporting workforce transformation and enhancing culture. It provides a platform for addressing key HR challenges such as adaptability, inclusion, and employee engagement across organizations.

  3. For Procurement Leaders:With supply chains facing increasing strain, NAL helps improve supplier collaboration and operational performance. By fostering shared learning, procurement leaders can build resilient supply chains that continuously improve and drive long-term value.

Application Areas for Network Action Learning

  1. Manufacturing and Operations:NAL has been applied in manufacturing to boost operational efficiency and manage supply chains. Programs like NALP have helped firms upgrade their operations to world-class levels through collaboration.

  2. Supply Chain Collaboration:Projects like CO-IMPROVE and TRADEIT show how NAL enhances supply chain relationships, fosters innovation, and tackles shared challenges across extended manufacturing networks.

  3. Sustainability and SDGs:NAL is particularly relevant for addressing global challenges such as climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By working together, organizations can innovate to meet regulatory and sustainability demands while improving operational efficiency.

  4. Organizational Development and Change:NAL supports organizational development by encouraging reflection and action, helping companies adapt to evolving business environments. This is especially useful in sectors undergoing rapid transformation, such as technology, food production, and operations management.

Why Now?

As global pressures such as sustainability, supply chain disruptions, and workforce dynamics intensify, NAL offers a structured approach for fostering collaboration and innovation. CEOs, CHROs, and procurement leaders can leverage this framework to drive resilient growth, address pressing challenges, and build innovative, future-ready organizations.

Transform Your Organization with NAL

NALP and CO-IMPROVE have demonstrated how collective action can lead to faster innovation, stronger supply chains, and sustainable business growth. Leaders who embrace NAL can not only solve today’s challenges but also shape the future of their industries.


Ready to drive collaborative innovation? Contact us to explore how NAL can transform your organization.



Research paper:

Paul Coughlan & David Coghlan (24 Sep 2024): Action learning: towards a framework in interorganizational settings revisited – twenty years of network action learning, Action Learning: Research and Practice, DOI: 10.1080/14767333.2024.2406753

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