Organizational learning
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Definition
- “Organizational learning is the process by which an organization gains new knowledge about its environment, goals, and processes. Herbert Simon (1997) posits three ways in which organizations learn: (1) individuals within the organization learn some new fact or procedure, (2) the organization ingests outsiders with knowledge not already in the organization, and (3) the organization incorporates new knowledge into its files and computer systems. As broader organizations, governments and policy-making communities also learn.” (Smith)
Types of organizational learning
Single loop vs. double loop learning
- “Argyris (1992) distinguishes between two kinds of organizational learning: single-loop and double-loop learning. Single-loop learning occurs when a mismatch between the intended and actual outcomes of an organizational activity occurs and is corrected without questioning the assumptions or values that gave rise to the actions and their expected outcome.” (Smith)
- “Double-loop learning occurs when the underlying assumptions or values are questioned by the organization” (Smith)
References
- Argyris, C. (1992). On Organizational Learning. Cambridge, UK: Blackwell Publishers.
- Hovland, Ingie, (2003) Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning: An International Development Perspective. An Annotated Bibliography, Working Paper 224,Overseas Development Institute, PDF
- Simon, H. A. (1997). Administrative Behavior, Fourth Edition. New York, NY: The Free Press.
- Smith, Keith, W. () Organization learning, PDF Preprint for Encyclopedia of Governance, Marc Bevir, ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sagex.