Workforce training transfer: A study of the effect of relapse prevention training and transfer climate

Considerable evidence suggests that a substantial part of organizations' investment in training is often wasted due to poor learning transfer and trainee relapse. This study investigated the effects of two different relapse prevention (RP) modules designed to supplement a training program on employee coaching skills. The coaching program was delivered to 78 research scientists from five departments of a large Midwestern firm. The transfer “climate” of those five represented departments was also assessed. Results indicated that the RP modules did modestly influence trainees' use of transfer strategies, but the impact was contingent on the nature of the transfer climate.1© 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

[1]  Raymond A. Noe,et al.  Relapse training: Does it influence trainees' post training behavior and cognitive strategies? , 1990 .

[2]  R. Noe.  Trainees' Attributes and Attitudes: Neglected Influences on Training Effectiveness , 1986 .

[3]  Howard Baumgartel,et al.  Applying New Knowledge in the Back-Home Setting: A Study of Indian Managers' Adoptive Efforts , 1972 .

[4]  Robert D. Marx.  Self-Managed Skill Retention. , 1986 .

[5]  Michael J. Kavanagh,et al.  Applying Trained Skills on the Job: The Importance of the Work Environment , 1995 .

[6]  Eduardo Salas,et al.  Factors that Influence Training Effectiveness: A Conceptual Model and Longitudinal Analysis , 1993 .

[7]  F. Luthans,et al.  A social learning approach to behavioral management: Radical behaviorists “mellowing out” , 1984 .

[8]  Timothy T. Baldwin,et al.  Posttraining Strategies for Facilitating Positive Transfer: An Empirical Exploration , 1986 .

[9]  Janice Z. Rouiller,et al.  The relationship between organizational transfer climate and positive transfer of training , 1993 .

[10]  W. Hays.  Experimental Design: Procedures for the Behavioral Sciences. 2nd ed. , 1983 .

[11]  Timothy T. Baldwin,et al.  TRANSFER OF TRAINING: A REVIEW AND DIRECTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH , 1988 .

[12]  Robert D. Marx.  Improving Management Development Through Relapse Prevention Strategies , 1986 .

[13]  Denise M. Rousseau,et al.  The construction of climate in organizational research. , 1988 .

[14]  M. Mahoney,et al.  Behavioral self-control , 1974 .

[15]  Charles C. Manz,et al.  An Integrated Perspective of Self-Control in Organizations , 1987 .

[16]  G. Yukl,et al.  Training and development in work organizations. , 1992 .

[17]  John R. Hollenbeck,et al.  An exploratory study of self‐regulating activities and their effects on job performance , 1985 .

[18]  A. Huczynski,et al.  AN EMPIRICAL STUDY INTO THE LEARNING TRANSFER PROCESS IN MANAGEMENT TRAINING , 1980 .

[19]  Aharon Tziner,et al.  Personal and situational characteristics influencing the effectiveness of transfer of training improvement strategies , 1991 .

[20]  P. M. Podsakoff,et al.  Self-Reports in Organizational Research: Problems and Prospects , 1986 .

[21]  Robert D. Marx,et al.  Relapse Prevention for Managerial Training: A Model for Maintenance of Behavior Change , 1982 .