Enterprise E-Learning Success Factors: An Analysis of Practitioners' Perspective (with a Downturn Addendum)

This study proposes nine success factors for enterprise-wide e-learning. These factors were derived from the literature, interviews with e-learning project leaders, and analysis. Twelve semistructured interviews were conducted and analyzed in order to find out the best success factors to implement e-learning. These factors are divided into two categories: “must-have” factors and “nice-to-have” factors. The must-have factors include: useful and easy to use e-learning tools, marketing, management support, the right organizational culture, and the existence of a real need for the organization. The “nice to have” factors include: time to learn, support, mandatory learning, and incentives. Based on the research conclusions, a checklist of e-learning success factors is provided. A special addendum includes looking at the factors in downturn times, their relative importance and nature.