Main DefinitionsMain Definitions

LearningLearning – – What is it?What is it?

The word Learning undoubtedly denotes Change of some kind. To say what kind of change is a delicate matter.

(Gregory Bateson – an ecology of mind)

When is an Organization an When is an Organization an Organization?Organization?

An organization is an organization when:An organization is an organization when:

Making decisions in the name of collectivityMaking decisions in the name of collectivityDelegating to individuals the authority to act Delegating to individuals the authority to act

for the collectivityfor the collectivitySetting boundaries between the collectivity Setting boundaries between the collectivity

and the rest of the world (Argyris & Schon, and the rest of the world (Argyris & Schon, 1978)1978)

LiteratureLiterature Two influential authors before the earliest mention of the term: Two influential authors before the earliest mention of the term:

- Dewey’s (2004) ideas of learning from experience fit most easily - Dewey’s (2004) ideas of learning from experience fit most easily into models of individual learning within organizations. His view into models of individual learning within organizations. His view about social learning in which learning takes place through social about social learning in which learning takes place through social interaction, yet cannot be passed from person to person as if it were interaction, yet cannot be passed from person to person as if it were a physical object is essential. a physical object is essential.

- Polanyi’s (1967) key idea of tacit knowledge has parallels to - Polanyi’s (1967) key idea of tacit knowledge has parallels to Dewey’s experiential learning. Within the field of OL, tacit Dewey’s experiential learning. Within the field of OL, tacit knowledge refers to the unexpressed knowledge of organizations knowledge refers to the unexpressed knowledge of organizations that provide the unique competencies which can’t be easily that provide the unique competencies which can’t be easily replicated. replicated.

Individual

Individual

Individual

Individual

Individual

Individual Team

Team

Organization

Teams and Groups as Organizational Learning Mechanisms Integrating Learning in Organization with Learning by Organization

Patterns that Inhibit/Block Team and OLPatterns that Inhibit/Block Team and OL

Defensive routinesDefensive routines Constraining mental models (i.e. points of Constraining mental models (i.e. points of

view)view) Prevailing undiscussablesPrevailing undiscussables

No Learning = No ChangeNo Learning = No Change

ParadoxParadox

Organizations are not merely collections of Organizations are not merely collections of individuals, yet there is no organization without individuals, yet there is no organization without such collections. such collections.

OL is not merely individual learning, yet OL is not merely individual learning, yet organizations learn only through the experience organizations learn only through the experience and actions of individuals.and actions of individuals.

OL is not the same thing as individual learningOL is not the same thing as individual learning

How Organizations learn How Organizations learn (Argyris & Schon,1976)(Argyris & Schon,1976)

Single Loop LearningSingle Loop Learning

Double Loop LearningDouble Loop Learning

Process begins with Mental MapsProcess begins with Mental Maps

Starting point was that people have mental maps Starting point was that people have mental maps with regard to how to act in situations. This with regard to how to act in situations. This involves they way they plan, implement and involves they way they plan, implement and review their actions.review their actions.

These maps guides people’s actions rather than These maps guides people’s actions rather than theories that they espouse.theories that they espouse.

As a result, there is a split between theory and As a result, there is a split between theory and action.action.

Theories of ActionTheories of Action Espoused theoryEspoused theory

Is the theory one gives allegiance to and Is the theory one gives allegiance to and communicates to otherscommunicates to others

The words we use to convey what we, do or what we The words we use to convey what we, do or what we would like others to think we dowould like others to think we do

Theory-In-UseTheory-In-Use- Is what is actually performedIs what is actually performed- Theories in what we do as practitioners and Theories in what we do as practitioners and

managersmanagers

Single-Loop LearningSingle-Loop Learning

Single-Loop Learning Single-Loop Learning

- involves the detection and correction of error- involves the detection and correction of error

- strategy is to look for another operation that will - strategy is to look for another operation that will address and work within the governing variablesaddress and work within the governing variables

- given, or chosen goals, values, plans, and - given, or chosen goals, values, plans, and rules are operationalized rather than questionedrules are operationalized rather than questioned

Double-Loop LearningDouble-Loop Learning

Double-Loop LearningDouble-Loop Learning when one questions the governing variables when one questions the governing variables

and subject them to critical scrutinyand subject them to critical scrutiny Such learning may then lead to an alteration Such learning may then lead to an alteration

in the govern variablesin the govern variables Shift in the way in which strategies and Shift in the way in which strategies and

consequences are framedconsequences are framed