Factors affecting transfer of online training: A systematic literature review and proposed taxonomy

Abstract

Training employees in new competencies is crucial for ensuring organizational sustainability and success. Consequently, organizations allocate significant resources to training initiatives. As training constitutes a substantial investment, it becomes imperative to identify and categorize factors that enhance the transferability of training. This necessity becomes particularly pronounced in the context of online training, which is being increasingly adopted by organizations for various reasons, including cost efficiency and flexibility. While the adoption of online training is on the rise, research on factors that enhance the effectiveness of such training remains limited. This study aims to address this gap by introducing a taxonomy of factors that influence the transfer of online training. These factors are categorized into four broad themes: computer (digital) literacy and attitudes, learner characteristics, training design and planning, and the learning environment along with organizational factors. Additionally, the study maps these factors to the intended outcomes of training (knowledge, skills, and attitude) and the participants engaged in the training sessions, providing a comprehensive overview of ongoing research and identifying areas for future investigation. Drawing insights from an evaluation of existing literature, the research not only points toward potential research directions but also offers practical implications for designing more effective online training sessions.