Evaluation of a Soft Skills Training Program

Piyawan Charoensap-Kelly University of Southern Mississippi ; Lauren Broussard Southeastern Louisiana University ; Mallory Lindsly Southeastern Louisiana University ; Megan Troy Southeastern Louisiana University

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a soft skills employee training program. We examined willingness to learn and delivery methods (face-to-face vs. online) and their associations with the training outcomes in terms of learning and behavioral change. Results showed that neither participants’ willingness to learn nor delivery methods affected comprehension. However, both variables had significant effects on the reported behavioral change. This training is effective in teaching employees how to “flex” their personal styles and to improve their relationships with each other. Implications for business and professional communication training and directions for future research are discussed in detail.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2016-06-01
DOI
10.1177/2329490615602090
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation context

Cited by in this index (4)

  1. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  2. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  4. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly

References (61)

  1. 10.1037/0021-9010.88.2.234
     ↗
  2. 10.1145/1235000.1235040
     ↗
  3. People styles at work: Making bad relationships good and good relationships better
  4. 10.3102/00346543065003245
     ↗
  5. 10.1080/08824090109384783
     ↗
Show all 61 →
  1. 10.1111/j.1467-8535.2010.01062.x
     ↗
  2. International Journal of Management
  3. Training & Development
  4. Quasi-experimentation: Design & analysis issues
  5. Psychology
  6. 10.1177/1080569903261973
     ↗
  7. 10.5175/JSWE.2011.200900057
     ↗
  8. The systematic design of instruction
  9. 10.1080/02680510600953252
     ↗
  10. Australian Journal of Educational Technology
  11. Training
  12. 10.1111/j.1744-6570.1991.tb00701.x
     ↗
  13. Working with emotional intelligence
  14. 10.2190/ET.40.2.c
     ↗
  15. T+D
  16. 10.6017/ital.v27i1.3261
     ↗
  17. Human Resources Research Organization. (1974). Bibliography of publications and presentations during FY 1972-…
  18. 10.2190/EC.44.3.e
     ↗
  19. Business Education Forum
  20. 10.1145/1646353.1646391
     ↗
  21. Kechagias K. (Ed.). (2011). Teaching and assessing soft skills. Retrieved from http://mass.educational-innova…
  22. Journal of the American Society of Training Directors
  23. 10.1111/j.1744-6570.2006.00050.x
     ↗
  24. 10.1061/(ASCE)1532-6748(2007)7:1(18)
     ↗
  25. 10.1002/hrdq.1042
     ↗
  26. 10.1002/hrdq.20063
     ↗
  27. Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning
  28. Luxford I. (2012). Can soft skills be taught through elearning? Pt2. Retrieved from http://www.trainingzone.c…
  29. 10.2196/jmir.1680
     ↗
  30. 10.1002/hrdq.1077
     ↗
  31. 10.3138/cjpe.018.001
     ↗
  32. 10.4324/9781466593435
     ↗
  33. Journal of Interactive Learning Research
  34. Stories employers tell: Race, skill, and hiring in America
  35. 10.2307/258393
     ↗
  36. 10.1111/j.1744-6570.1986.tb00950.x
     ↗
  37. 10.1111/j.1744-6570.1991.tb00963.x
     ↗
  38. Training
  39. Training
  40. 10.1097/00126450-200410000-00002
     ↗
  41. Current Science
  42. Training & Coaching Today
  43. 10.1177/1080569912460400
     ↗
  44. 10.1080/00049670.2010.10735996
     ↗
  45. NAWA: Journal of Language and Communication
  46. 10.1109/MCG.2011.9
     ↗
  47. 10.1007/s12564-009-9038-8
     ↗
  48. International Journal of Education and Allied Sciences
  49. 10.1080/13668250903093125
     ↗
  50. T+D
  51. 10.1111/j.1476-8691.2005.00335.x
     ↗
  52. 10.1111/j.1468-2389.2007.00378.x
     ↗
  53. van Kemenade E. A. (2013). Soft skills for quality managers in a time of breakthrough. In Proceedings of the …
  54. Personality development and soft skills: For class XI
  55. 10.2753/MIS0742-1222290109
     ↗
  56. 10.1111/j.1744-6570.1995.tb01761.x
     ↗