How Organizations Learn: A Communication Framework.

Abstract

This report assesses the current state of organizational learning theory using the story of American LaFrance a manufacturing company that went bankrupt because it failed to respond to changes in material and design technology. Organizational learning has been implicit in the organizational literature for many years. Previous research and theorizing can be categorized into either the systems-structural perspective or the interpretive perspective on learning. These two perspectives are reflected in the need for both data logistics and interpretation within organizations. We proposed that the authors recommend specific design characteristics in written and oral communication on which could be used to facilitate either type of learning. The four learning modes--traditional bureaucracy, extended bureaucracy, self-designing organizations, and experimenting organizations presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA168286

Entities

People

  • George Huber
  • Richard Daft

Organizations

  • Texas A&M University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Business Administration
  • Commerce
  • Communication Channels
  • Control Systems
  • Information Processing
  • Information Systems
  • Management Information Systems
  • Military Research
  • Organization Theory
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Administration
  • Social Psychology
  • Students

Readers

  • Agent-Based Social Robotics and Mobile-Assisted Learning in Virtual Environments.
  • Economics
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).