The Dynamics of Organizational Learning in Technological Innovation

How international SME's vicarious learning may improve their performance? The role of absorptive capacity, strength of ties with local SMEs, and their prior success experiences

“…Coleman focuses on the emergence of effective norms that promote trustworthiness and strengthen social capital and ties between individuals and organizations (Rost, 2011). The role of the strength of ties in gaining knowledge from firms in organizational networks is important and has become a key research theme (Rost, 2011;Seidle, 2013). Naude et al (2014) hold that external networking is critical for improving SME performance, but that the strength of ties with firms in the network yields greater benefits.…”

Transfer of know-how based on learning outcomes for development of open innovation

“…Cameron and Green (2009) emphasize that learning is not just an acquisition of knowledge, but the application of it through doing something different. Several forms of organizational learning have been described in the literature -for example, Seidle (2013) distinguishes three specific forms: 1) experiential learning, which occurs when organizations obtain new knowledge through direct experience with a given practice or technology (processes of trial-and-error and experimentation); 2) vicarious learning -organizations learn by making inferences or attributions related to activities observed in other firms;…”

“…Daft (2010) indicates that challenges in today's environment are leading to changes in organization design and management practices -many managers are redesigning companies towards the learning organization, which is characterized by a horizontal structure, empowered employees, shared information, collaborative strategy and an adaptive culture. By extrapolating different conceptualizations, Seidle (2013) defines organizational learning as the generation of new knowledge or insight that facilitates either new behaviors (actual or potential) or the improvement of existing ones. Cameron and Green (2009) emphasize that learning is not just an acquisition of knowledge, but the application of it through doing something different.…”