E-learning as a Tool for Knowledge Creation in International Hotel Companies

Abstract

Knowledge creation (KC) has been identified as a key source of competitive advantage for businesses and e-learning (EL) potentially has a major role to play in this process. In recent years international hotel companies (IHCs) have begun to adopt EL. However, there is little evidence about the extent to which this is being used to support KC. This paper, therefore, focuses on exploring how EL is being utilized by IHCs and suggests ways that further research in this area can help to improve the utilization of EL in the industry. The findings from research that includes a review of literature, internet search, and personal interviews show that EL is seen mainly as a training tool (e-training instead of EL) rather than as a strategic tool to support the creation of new knowledge, innovation, and competitive advantage. There are some limitations of this study; most of the collected data are from the exploratory internet data search. There might be other data related to EL in other IHCs and not included in the internet and therefore, not included in this study.