Learning Processes and Mechanisms for Interorganizational Projects: Insights From the Islamabad–Rawalpindi Metro Bus Project

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to understand how learning is disseminated between individual, project, organizational, and interorganizational levels—A phenomenon that remains underresearched, particularly in the context of interorganizational projects. This article unpacks the learning processes and underlying learning mechanisms that disseminate learning at different levels. For this purpose, we examine the Islamabad–Rawalpindi metro bus project in Pakistan. Using an abductive research approach, data for this article are collected through interviews, archival records, and illustrative materials. The findings reveal 11 learning mechanisms: 1) learning by observing; 2) learning from past experiences; 3) learning from an expert; 4) learning from the experiences of others; 5) learning by joint problem-solving; 6) learning by working together; 7) learning from mistakes; 8) learning by observing other projects; 9) learning by building organizational memory; 10) learning from existing organizational memory; and 11) learning by coordinating and consulting. These learning mechanisms trigger learning processes of intuiting, interpreting, integrating, institutionalizing, and intertwining at the individual, team, organizational, and interorganizational levels. This article enriches the understanding of project-based learning, focusing on different levels and exploring the interplay between learning processes and mechanisms.