GEDIFO: A Cross-Organizational Approach to Learning in Communities of Practice

Abstract

In today’s globalized economy, organizations face international competition; the need for technology-driven innovation; inefficiencies due to hierarchical structures; cost-cutting; and frequently a deterioration in working conditions as a result thereof. The current paper focusses on the situation of works councils who are challenged to support the interests of employees on the one hand and to act as co-managers on the other. GEDIFO, an initiative by the Vienna Chamber of Labor and the educational body of the Austrian Trade Union, seeks to advance cross-organizational learning among works councils in communities of practice (CoP).