Designing an Integrated Conceptual Model of a Learning Organization

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

Rapid environmental changes in both internal and external dimensions have forced organizations to adopt modern strategies such as learning, quality and knowledge creation. These strategies, hence, are essential for organizations to survive and to maintain their competitiveness. The organizational learning and learning organization concepts have been around for more than three decades now. Even though many studies have been addressing these two concepts, there is no consensus on a model to fully clarify the relationship between them. Using an analytical research method, this paper seeks to eliminate this deficiency by presenting an integrated conceptual model on the basis of authorities’ views in the related field. The model is composed of three sections. In the first section, which is based on a modified theory of Watkin and Marsik, learning empowerments have been introduced with a resource-based view at two levels, namely structural and non-structural (people) levels. In the process section, Haber’s theory of organizational learning has been described as the connector between learning enablers and performance outcomes. The last section, considering the viewpoints of Senge and Nonaka, characterizes learning organization under the title of “Learning Organization Pyramid” (LOP). As a systematic approach was adopted in the design of the model and as the enablers, process and performance were taken into account as the main dimensions of the model, this study can serves as the first guide in a better understanding of the above-mentioned concepts. The paper closes with suggestions for model application and research

Keywords


Amit, R.; Schoemaker, P.J.H. (1993), Strategic assets and organizational
rent. Strategic Management Journal; 14, (1), pp. 33–46.
Bennet A and Bennet D (2003), The Partnership Between Organizational
Learning and Knowledge Management Handbook on Knowledge
Management, Vol. 1, Springer,New York.
Bauman G (2005), “Promoting Organizational Learning in Higher
Education to Achieve Equity in Educational Outcome”, New
Directions for Higher Education, Vol. 131, Fall, pp. 23-25.
Bontis,N.,Crossan,M.,&Hulland,J.(2002).Managing an organizational
learning system by aligning stocks and flows. Journal of
ManagementStudies,39(4), 437– 469.
C. Jyothibabu .Ayesha Farooq.Bibhuti Bhusan Pradhan An integrated
scale for measuring an organizational learning system .The Learning
OrganizationVol. 17 No. 4, 2010 pp. 303-327
Guadamillas, F., Donate, M. J., & Sلnchez de Pablo, J. D. (2008).
Knowledge management for corporate entrepreneurship and growth: A
case study. Knowledge and Process Management, 15(1), 32–44.
Johnson, C. David S. James W.(2011). An Empirical Model Of The
Learning Organization. www2.hull.ac.uk
Jashapara, A. (2003), “Cognition, culture and competition: an empirical
test of the learning organization”, The Learning Organization, Vol. 10
No. 1, pp. 31-50.
Jamali, D. and Sidani, Y. (2008), “Learning organizations: diagnosis and
measurement in a developing country context”, The Learning
Organization, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 58-74.
Jamali, D. (2005), “Changing management paradigms: implications for
educational institutions”, The Journal of Management Development,
Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 104-15.
Jennex M E and Olfman L (2003), Organizational Memory, Handbook
on Knowledge Management, Vol. 1, Springer, New York.
Jamalzade, M. Rahgozar,H. Alavi,F.(2011)" Investigation of Islamic
Azad University as a learning organization from Faculty members’
view points", New Approach in Educational Administration, Vol(5),71-
94.
James G. March. (1991),: Organizational Learning: Organization
Science, Vol. 2, No. 1, Special Issue pp. 88-115.
Jimenez,D.(2008).Are companies that implement TQM better learning
organizations? An empirical study. Total Quality Management, 19(11),
1101–1115.
Hernandez, M. and Watkins, K.E. (2003), “Translation, validation and
adaptation of the Spanish version of the modified dimensions of the
learning organization questionnaire”, Human Resource Development
International, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 187-96.
Hung,R.Y.Y.,etal.Impact of TQM and organizational learning
oninnovation performance in the high-tech industry. International
BusinessReview (2010), doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2010.07.001
Karash, R. (2002), “Learning-org dialog on learning organizations”,
available at: http://world.std.com/ , lo/ (accessed 19 November 2003).
Koc, T., & Ceylan, C. (2007). Factors impacting the innovative capacity
in large-scale companies. Technovation, 27(3), 105–114.
Liao, S. H., Fei, W. C., & Liu, C. T. (2008). Relationships between
knowledge inertia, organizational learning and organizational
innovation. Technovation, 28(4), 183–195.
Mansury, M. A., & Love, J. H. (2008). Innovation, productivity and
growth in US business services: A firm-level analysis. Technovation,
28(1–2), 52–62.
Moilanen, R. (2005), “Diagnosing and measuring learning organization”,
The Learning Organization, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 71-89.
Moilanen, R. (2001), “Diagnostic tools for learning organizations”, The
Learning Organization, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 6-20.
Marah F. Abu Khadra and Ibrahim A(2006) Assessment of development
of the learning organization concept in Jordanian industrial companies.
Rawabdeh Industrial Engineering Department, University of Jordan,
Amman, Jordan The Learning OrganizationVol. 13 No. 5, pp. 455-474
Makadok, R. (2001), Toward a Synthesis of the Resource-Based View
and Dynamic-Capability Views of Rent Creation. Strategic
Management Journal; 22, (5), pp. 387–401
Miha Škerlavaj a, Ji Hoon Song b,1, Youngmin Lee c, (2010)
Organizational learning culture, innovative culture and innovations in
South orean firms2 Expert Systems with Applications 37 6390–6403
McElroy, Mark (2000) ‘Second-Generation KM: A White Paper’
Knowledge Management 4(3).
MartinezCosta,M.,&JimenezRahman,S.(2004).The future of TQM is
past. Can TQM be resurrected? Total Quality Management,15(4), 411–
422.
Nazem,F,Motalebi,A.(2011)" An structural model of intellectual capital
based on organizational learning in Shahid Beheshti University", New
Approach in Educational Administration, Vol(5),29-50.
Newbert, S. L. (2007) Empirical Research on the Resource Based Theory
of the Firm, Strategic Management Journal, 28(2), 121-146
Pearn, M., Roderick, C. and Mulrooney, C. (1995), Learning
Organizations in Practice, McGraw-Hill, Maidenhead.
Pareek U (2004), Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford
University Press, New Delhi.
Pedler, M., Boydell, T. and Burgoyne, J. (1989), “Towards the learning
company”, Management Education and Development, Vol. 20 No. 1,
pp. 1-8.
Porter, Michael E. (1980), Competitive Advantage: Techniques for
Analyzing Industrial and Competitors, New York: Free Press.
Prajogo,D.I.,&Sohal,A.S.(2003).The relationship between TQM
practices, quality performance, and innovation performance.The
International Journal of Quality & ReliabilityManagement,20(8), 901–
918.
Rastehmoghaddam, A. Abbaspour, A.(2011). An exploration of
organizational learning theoretical development barriers: A critical
approach. Under press in Management And Development Quarterly.
Rastehmoghaddam, A. (2004). An Study of Learning Organization
Characteristics In a Teaching Organization.No. 69, pp. 73-101
Shu-Hsien Liao a, Wen-Jung Chang b,*, Chi-Chuan An integrated model
for learning organization with strategic view: Benchmarking in the
knowledge-intensive industry. Wub Expert Systems with Applications
37 (2010) 3792–3798
Scharmer C O (2002), “Presencing: Illuminating the Blind Spot of
Leadership: Foundations for a Social Technology of Freedom”,
available at
http://www.generoconsulting.com/Publications/PresencingIntro.pdf
Savage, Charles (2000) ‘The development of knowledge management
and why it is important,’ in Knowledge Management for Development
Organisations, Report of the Knowledge Management Brighton 
Workshop 26–28 June 2000, University of Sussex. Canada: Bellanet
International Secretariat. (available at www.bellanet.org/km/km2)
Tannenbaum, S. (1997), “Enhancing continuous learning: diagnostic
findings from multiple companies”, Human Resource Management,
Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 437-52.
Templeton , Lewis, Snyder: Development of a measure for the Learning
Organizational Learning construct, Journal of Management Information
Systems, Fall 2002, Vol.19, No.2, pp.175-218.