Building Dynamic Capabilities in Adult Learning - Case Studies and a Practical Toolkit for Training Providers

Aug 2, 2026

Building Dynamic Capabilities in Adult Learning examines how training providers adapt in conditions of rapid technological, economic, and social change. Centered on the training and adult education (TAE) sector, it explains how organisations integrate, build, and reconfigure internal and external resources to respond to shifting demands. Using empirical research with 18 Singapore training providers, the book offers seven case studies and identifies seven organisational resources, then delivers a practical framework and toolkit for diagnosing capability profiles, aligning resources with strategic goals, and supporting continuous innovation and learning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages163

Reading Time6 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Dynamic capabilities in adult learning

Socio-cultural perspective and role of people

Empirical study and case studies

Resource mobilisation, combination, and transformation

Practical framework and diagnostic toolkit

[OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Building Dynamic Capabilities in Adult Learning In an era of rapid technological, economic, and social change, organisations must constantly adapt to remain relevant. This book examines the growing importance of dynamic capabilities in enabling training providers to respond to uncertainty, reconfigure resources, and create sustainable value in increasingly complex and volatile environments. Focusing on the training and adult education (TAE) sector, the book examines how organisations integrate, build, and reconfigure internal and external resources to respond effectively to shifting demands. It conceptualises dynamic capabilities through a socio-cultural lens, emphasising the central role of people, leadership, and organisational culture in driving strategic change. Drawing on empirical research conducted with 18 training providers in Singapore, the book presents seven in-depth case studies that reveal how dynamic capabilities are enacted in practice. From these cases, seven key organisational resources are identified and analysed, showing how they are mobilised, combined, and transformed across different contexts, purposes, and time horizons. The book develops a practical framework that captures effective practices in capability development and includes a toolkit to support organisations in diagnosing their capability profiles, aligning resources with strategic goals, and fostering continuous innovation and learning. The books in the series are for graduate and post-graduate students, academics and practitioners such as adult educators, human resource personnel, and consultants who are change agents. Zan Chen is Associate Professor at the Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore. Ilona Murphy is Associate Researcher at the Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore. Helen Bound is now retired (from academia) but undertakes learning and development consultancies. Manfred Max Bergman is Professor at the University of Basel, Switzerland. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Routledge-IAL Series on Adult Learning for Emergent Jobs and Skills Series Editors: Helen Bound, Wing On Lee and Renee Tan This Book Series, supported by the Singapore Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), provides a platform for publishing research and practical volumes on topics related to adult learning, emergent jobs and skills particularly in economies that are filled with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, (VUCA) economics, changing social and economic circumstances, and social and economic inclusivity. The books in the series are for graduate and post-graduate students, academics and practitioners such as adult educators, human resource personnel, and consultants who are change agents. Workplace Learning for Changing Social and Economic Circumstances Edited by Helen Bound, Anne Edwards, Karen Evans and Arthur Chia Making Employee-Driven Innovation Achievable Approaches and Practices for Workplace Learning Edited by Justina Tan and Wing On Lee Building Dynamic Capabilities in Adult Learning Case Studies and a Practical Toolkit for Training Providers Zan Chen, Ilona Murphy, Helen Bound, and Manfred Max Bergman For more information about this series, please visit: [www.routledge.com/Routledge-IAL-Series-on-Adult-Learning-for](www.routledge.com/Routledge-IAL-Series-on-Adult-Learning-for) Emergent-Jobs-and-Skills/book-series/RIALAL [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Building Dynamic Capabilities in Adult Learning Case Studies and a Practical Toolkit for Training Providers Zan Chen, Ilona Murphy, Helen Bound, and Manfred Max Bergman [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Designed cover image: Getty Images First published 2027 by Routledge 4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Fra

FAQs

What is the main focus of Building Dynamic Capabilities in Adult Learning?

The book focuses on how training providers develop dynamic capabilities to adapt effectively to uncertainty and changing demands in adult learning contexts.

How does the book support its analysis?

It draws on empirical research conducted with 18 training providers in Singapore and presents seven in-depth case studies.

What practical tools does the book provide for organisations?

It includes a practical framework and a toolkit to diagnose capability profiles, align resources with strategic goals, and foster continuous innovation and learning.

Aug 2, 2026

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