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Cultivating A Learning Led Culture In Contract Research Organisations

It is imperative that the employees align with organisational requirements to better understand and communicate effectively with each other, bringing tasks to completion within the estimated time, budget and quality standards

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Continuing education initiatives has become a mainstay of industries across the world. This is the only way to stay abreast of the latest developments in science, art, and technology that is associated with the development and realisation of the organisational objectives for the financial year. This is not different in the healthcare set up. There are multiple continuing medical education (CME) initiatives that are developed specifically to support the upgradation of health care professionals (HCP’s) in the hospitals or industry setting. This is also true for pharmaceutical manufacturing and research & development sectors as well. Based on the role of the employee, the organisation provides specific training that will support their training needs for team management. This is important to ensure that there are scalability and business continuity across all departments within the organisations. In the long run, this also reduces dependability on select individuals to execute important tasks. 

All organisations have a specific company culture based on the ethos, vision, and direction that the organisation is taking to create an image and standard for itself. It is imperative that the employees align with this organisational requirement to better understand and communicate effectively with each other, bringing tasks to completion within the estimated time, budget and quality standards. This is critical in the area of healthcare and contract research where there is a direct or indirect dependency of human lives based on the various stages of research and data collection. 

For CRO’s that are attempting to develop a learning culture, the guidelines for the curriculum are based on adult learning behaviour. Organisations walking this path focus on:

(1) Exerting control over the learning behaviours of their employees regarding the time and pace that they invest in learning

(2) Provide a richer and more diverse learning experience based on relevant concepts and examples associated with their fields in the organisations

(3) Provide an opportunity for self-paced learning

Based on the above guidelines, we at Syngene have developed our LnD initiatives to encompass a 3-step training process that focuses on:

(1) Role in Talent Development and Retention (mentoring)

(2) Effective Communication with team members

(3) Conflict management within the team

‘Leadership and Beyond’ (LAB) is a customised learning programme focused on employees leading teams. This, in turn, creates an engaged talent pool, resulting in new industry leaders who can contribute to the benefit of research. 

Specific training to ensure that the best standards are maintained in the laboratory is carried out and managed through mentoring scientists on Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines which are on par with global standards. The main objective of GLP training is to ensure that the data development and submission is an accurate reflection of the results from the studies, to ensure traceability of data and promote international acceptance of the tests conducted. Adopt detailed standard operating procedures to conduct the tests on globally accepted reagents, animals and documentation practices. The training on these procedures would result in globally acceptable scientists and facilities.

Continuous training programs of employees at regular intervals in soft skills, life skills, and GLP and other associated practices on the guidelines of adult learning behaviour would be the way to maintain a highly motivated and productive workforce in a contract research organisation.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article above are those of the authors' and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of this publishing house


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learning culture research and development

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