Learning Organization: The Cornerstone of Organizational Development in Non Profit Management

Abstract

The developmental organizations are trying to develop and incorporate the learning organization’s culture in their strategic plans as profit organizations do. Today learning culture is integral to many NGOs in Europe and America. Though the concept of a learning organization is familiar in the business world, its scope is not yet identified in the Indian nonprofit sector. This quantitative study using survey research design attempts to know the level of understanding of learning organizational practices in nonprofit organizations, various dimensions of a learning organization, and how it is conceptualized by NGO leaders and other professionals. The study was conducted in sixteen rehabilitation NGOs, with 150 respondents including NGO managers and Professionals. The survey used a five-point Learning Organization scale based on Peter Senge’s (1990) Learning Organizations Theory. The survey found a significant difference between the level of understanding of the Learning Organization concept among NGO leaders and professionals in most of the NGOs. The findings suggest that there is an urge among NGO management to practice learning in their respective NGOs by giving prime focus to learning organizational dimensions. It is quite essential to promote individual learning but the organization needs to learn how to learn together to ensure sustainability, professional enhancement, and development.