The Effect of Online Systems Analysis Training On Aerospace Industry Business Performance: A Qualitative Study

Aerospace companies needed additional research on technology-based training to verify expectations when enhancing human capital through online systems analysis training. The research for online systems analysis training provided aerospace companies a means to verify expectations for systems analysis technology-based training on business performance, building on human capital, information technology, systems analysis, online training, and training evaluation studies. Qualitative research, with a phenomenological design, extended human capital theory to include the perceived effect of systems analysis online training on business performance in the aerospace industry. The results of the research for online systems analysis training provided aerospace companies the ability to verify expectations, and assess benefits, of technology-based systems analysis training. Data for the research was from the perception of 17 trainees in an online systems analysis training class, along with the perception of their supervisors. Data collection was from a trainee focus group located in the online training classroom, and from asynchronous electronic mail interviews with their supervisors. All students participating in the online systems analysis training realized extension of human capital theory for their individual productivity. In addition, participants and their supervisors perceived that the participants used knowledge and skills learned from the online systems analysis training in the workplace. Moreover, participants and their supervisors perceived the knowledge and skills learned in the systems analysis training were of benefit to their organization. However, not all participants and their supervisors perceived the use of knowledge and skills learned from online systems analysis training in the workplace, or that the knowledge and skills learned in the systems analysis training were of benefit to their organization. This lack of perception implied the effect of systems analysis training on the business performance of aerospace organizations required further attention by participants and the organization. Recommendations were to develop a program for sustaining a training culture in the organization, synchronization of business goals and training programs, in advance of conducting training, and continued use of new information technology using systems analysis techniques for implementation. Recommendations for further research were to gain knowledge of the effect of online systems analysis training on specific aerospace organizations.