Purpose
This study aims to evaluate The World Café (TWC) method as a social collaborative learning environment. TWC is a widely used large-scale intervention for such things as organizational change and development or community development programs.
Design/methodology/approach
Three World Cafés were organized as part of a university research project on promoting sustainability-oriented innovation in the logistics sector. A total of 18 participants representing public and commercial organizations were interviewed on their experiences.
Findings
Learning processes are linked to social and cognitive aspects that TWC intervention effectively structures.
Practical implications
If a World Café is implemented according to the basic principles, it can be an effective environment for organizing non-formal learning in organizations.
Originality/value
Although the gray literature on World Cafés is full of anecdotal evidence about its effectiveness, there is a dearth of empirical research underpinning the claims.
