About Organizational Learning
Organizational Learning is a process in which the organization participates, addresses and finds solution for problems, create repositories of learned lessons and develop core competition that illustrate the corporate learning of employers, in past as well as present.
Donald Schon and Chris Argrys are the two significant contributors of the organizational learning theory. According to Organizational learning (OL), Argys & Schon define it as organizational inquiry in which as soon as the expected result is different from the estimated actual result, the employers look into the matter and inquire to figure out the problem and solve the inconsistency. Thus, Organizational Learning is therefore considered a direct product of interaction as for organizational inquiry, the employee communicates with members of organization and thus, learning takes place. The basis of organizational learning theory lies in two modes of operation defined by Argrys and Schon:
Espoused theory: This theory forms to be the formalized part of an enterprise. Here, the firms make rules for the employees and instruct them the way they should behave so as to carry out their jobs efficiently like problem solving. However, the instructions are job specific and help every individual to focus on path specified
Theory-in-use: This theory represents the actual manner in which actions take place. Here, the Individual barely follows the espoused concept and relies mainly on interacting and brainstorming so as to find solution for a problem. It is a loose, moreover a flowing, social concept where every employee solves a problem and learns in the process.
Following issues can be derived from the organizational learning (OL):
From organizational learning theory we can infer the following issues which may affect knowledge management and knowledge management systems:
- Organizational learning depends on organizational inquiry to occur and is based on theory-in-use, and not on espoused theory.
- OL is basically complex theory, leading to storage of past versions than on the events themselves.
Written by: Matt
We also suggest this relevant article if you have time: What is Supportive Leadership?
Some other similar articles
Tagged as amp, donald schon, inconsistency, interaction, job, jobs, knowledge management systems, learned lessons, learning theory, modes of operation, organizational inquiry, organizational learning, repositories + Categorized as Economy articles, Human resources, Ladership & Management