Critical Aspects of Organizational Learning Research and Proposals for Its Measurement

Abstract

Based on an extensive literature review, this paper reveals several gaps in organizational learning (OL) research that need filling before we can really talk about a theory of organizational learning or verify the traits and very existence of learning organizations (LO) as a phenomenon. The critique, however, is not targeted at any single model or theory of organizational learning, but at theory building, which constantly drifts away with new definitions and approaches that break up rather than construct a theory. Despite the fact that numerous consultation tools for turning organizations into learning models have been developed and applied, the concept of organizational learning itself still remains vague and there is an urgent need for a holistic model of OL. Too much emphasis is put on studying the learning of individuals instead of concentrating on the learning of organizations. Since the theory is highly dispersed and does not really build on earlier findings, rich empirical studies are needed in order to validate measures of organizational learning. Modelling of the organizational learning process and clarification of how learning of individuals is turned into learning of organizations is needed. This paper introduces one set of OL measures developed to study whether organizational learning occurred during the operational and business culture change process of a single case company. Suggestions for further OL research are made on the basis of experiences gained when empirically testing this model.

Antecedentes da retenção de pessoas em organizações: Uma revisão de literatura

“…Mesmo assim, na etapa de análise, verificou-se que alguns dos artigos que tratam do construto retenção como capacidade organizacional utilizaram escalas de auto resposta para mensurar a retenção. Com relação a este aspecto, pondera-se que a falta de consenso nas medidas, em pesquisa científica, geralmente está associada à complexidade e à relativa infância do construto (Lähteenmäki, Toivonen, & Mattila, 2001), características relacionadas ao construto retenção de pessoas.…”

The Effects of Transformational Leadership on Organizational Performance through Knowledge and Innovation*

“…Various studies measure learning in organizations (e.g. Edmondson, 1999;La¨hteenma¨ki, Toivonen and Mattila, 2001). We used the first two items from the scale of Kale, Singh and Perlmutter (2000) and added two items based on Edmondson (1999).…”

The Dimensions of Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ): A validation study in a Korean context

“…Considering these perspectives, we view organizational learning as the collaborative learning process of individuals, and the learning organization as the nature and/or characteristics of organization that could promote continuous organizational learning process (Lahteenmaki, Toivonen, & Mattila, 2001). Organizational learning analyzes learning processes without paying much attention to the outcomes; learning organization is mainly prescriptive, linking to improvement (Huysman, 2000).…”