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Approaches for Organizational Learning: A Literature Review

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  • Dirk Basten
  • Thilo Haamann

Abstract

Organizational learning (OL) enables organizations to transform individual knowledge into organizational knowledge. Organizations struggle to implement practical approaches due to the lack of concrete prescriptions. We performed a literature review to identify OL approaches and linked these approaches to OL theories. We synthesized 18 OL approaches across three domains: people (seven approaches), processes (nine), and technologies (two). Furthermore, we suggest two directions for future research: referring to the evaluation of our results and addressing the contingencies of OL effectiveness. Our mapping guides organizations in the design of learning processes to improve long-term performance. Although relying on a single approach is unlikely to comprehensively enable OL, our mapping facilitates the combination of several approaches aligned with organizational culture and processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Dirk Basten & Thilo Haamann, 2018. "Approaches for Organizational Learning: A Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(3), pages 21582440187, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:8:y:2018:i:3:p:2158244018794224
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244018794224
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    2. Darío Blanco-Fernández & Stephan Leitner & Alexandra Rausch, 2023. "Interactions between the individual and the group level in organizations: The case of learning and group turnover," Central European Journal of Operations Research, Springer;Slovak Society for Operations Research;Hungarian Operational Research Society;Czech Society for Operations Research;Österr. Gesellschaft für Operations Research (ÖGOR);Slovenian Society Informatika - Section for Operational Research;Croatian Operational Research Society, vol. 31(4), pages 1087-1128, December.
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    4. Jingwen Xia, 2022. "A Systematic Review: How Does Organisational Learning Enable ESG Performance (from 2001 to 2021)?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-22, December.
    5. Zahra Gorjian Khanzad & Ali A. Gooyabadi, 2021. "Development of Strategic Resilience Framework for Small Businesses Post-COVID-19," Businesses, MDPI, vol. 1(3), pages 1-15, September.
    6. Ana Aleksić Mirić & Biljana Bogićević Milikić & Nebojša Janićijević, 2020. "Organisational Learning In Serbia During The Transition: The Legacy Of Božidar Cerović And His Contribution To Transition Research," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, vol. 65(225), pages 73-104, April – J.
    7. Dario Blanco-Fernandez & Stephan Leitner & Alexandra Rausch, 2022. "Interactions between the individual and the group level in organizations: The case of learning and autonomous group adaptation," Papers 2203.09162, arXiv.org.
    8. Muh Rays Rays & Titik Aryati Titik, 2022. "Investing the effect of learning organization, organizational culture, company reputation on organizational performance," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 37(1), pages 265-286, November.
    9. Anike Sult & Janice Wobst & Rainer Lueg, 2024. "The role of training in implementing corporate sustainability: A systematic literature review," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 1-30, January.
    10. Altaf Hussain & Muhammad Khan & Dilshodjon Alidjonovich Rakhmonov & Zokir Toshtemirovich Mamadiyarov & Mohichexra Turobjonovna Kurbonbekova & Muxlisa Qodirjon Kizi Mahmudova, 2023. "Nexus of Training and Development, Organizational Learning Capability, and Organizational Performance in the Service Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-17, February.
    11. Stefano Za & Eusebio Scornavacca & Jessie Pallud, 2022. "Enhancing workplace competence acquisition through a persuasive system," Information Systems and e-Business Management, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 819-846, December.
    12. Rode, Joseph C. & Huang, Xiaowen & Schroeder, Roger G., 2022. "Human resources practices and continuous improvement and learning across cultures," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(4).
    13. Man-Ling Chang & Au Due Tang & Cheng-Feng Cheng & Wen-Kuo Chen, 2023. "The bright side of environmental uncertainty for organizational learning: the moderating role of political skill," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(3), pages 978-1007, July.
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    15. Cremers, Anne Lia & Janssen, Cato, 2023. "COVID-19-related trauma and the need for organizational healing in a Dutch nursing home," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 327(C).

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