Organizational Learning Theory Research Articles

Learning Organization in Non-Governmental Organizations: A Brief Literature Review and Recommendations for Practice

Learning organization is considered a pivotal aspect in improving organizational performance, which has become increasingly important for global leaders. This article attempts to review and critique Senge's theory of learning organization, followed by a conclusion and recommendations for practice in non-governmental organizations. The findings indicated that the five disciplines of Senge's theory encourage organizations' leaders to be inspirational, practical, and innovative within the organization. However, it is essential to consider the flaws of Senge's theory, namely the individual interests in the organization and insufficient evidence linking team learning to organizational learning, the existing top-down leadership approach, neglecting cultural differences, and the lack of experience-based value. It is vital for non-governmental organizations to consider these mentioned weaknesses of Senge's theory to ensure the efficiency of implementation.

From climate to community: a new approach to conceptualizing the relational element of organizational learning

PurposeExisting conceptualizations of organizational learning focus on processes and structures while also acknowledging a social element, usually framed as bringing people together through formal structures. While much scholarship notes that school culture mediates organizational learning, culture is often relegated to the realm of context. Affective and relational components of organizational learning remain undertheorized. The authors argue that attending more closely to the relational component of organizational learning will offer new insights into the enactment of organizational learning in schools.Design/methodology/approachThe study briefly discusses schools of thought regarding organizational learning. It also summarizes extant conceptualizations of school climate and culture, laying these alongside the sense of community (SOC) framework (McMillan and Chavis, 1986). Utilizing prior research, it illustrates the value of bringing this framework into conversation with theories of organizational learning in schools to enrich understandings of the conditions under which organizational learning occurs.FindingsThe authors suggest a conceptualization of relationality in organizational learning rooted in SOC, a conceptualization that is both broader than merely transactional interactions and more precise than that offered by extant notions of school culture and climate.Originality/valueThe relational perspective captured by SOC offers researchers new avenues to more fulsomely explore the ways that trust, belonging, caring and shared values facilitate organizational learning. A more thorough understanding of the role of relationality in organizational learning may provide answers to salient questions, including why some teachers go above and beyond to seek out opportunities and why some changes stay bounded within departments and substructures.

Deep and organizational learning as innovation catalyzer in digital business ecosystems – a scenario analysis on the tourism destination Berlin

PurposeThe below-average innovative capacity of the tourism sector raises the question on the potentials of digital business ecosystems (DBEs) to overcome these shortages at a destination level – especially within a smart city environment. Using the example of the German Capital Berlin, this article aims to discuss both the possibilities and inhibitors of innovative knowledge-creation by building scenarios on one specific design option: the integration of digital deep learning (DL) functionalities and traditional organizational learning (OL) processes.Design/methodology/approachUsing the qualitative GABEK-method, major characteristics of a DBE as resource-, platform- and innovation systems are analyzed toward their interactions with the construction of basic action models (as the basic building blocks of knowledge).FindingsAgainst the background of the research findings, two scenarios are discussed for future evolution of the Berlin DBE, one building on cultural emulation as a trigger for optimized DL functionalities and one following the idea of cultural engineering supported by DL functionalities. Both scenarios focus specifically on the identified systemic inhibitors of innovative capabilities.Research limitations/implicationsWhile this study highlights the potential of the GABEK method to analyze mental models, separation of explicit and latent models still remains challenging – so does the reconstruction of higher order mental models which require a combined take on interview techniques in the future.Originality/valueThe resulting scenarios innovatively combine concepts from OL theory with the concept of DBE, thus indicating possible pathways into a tourism future where the limitations of human learning capacities could be compensated through the targeted support of general artificial intelligence (AI).

Academic reputation quality and research: an analysis of Latin-American universities in the world higher education institution rankings from the perspective of organizational learning theory

ABSTRACT The purpose of the research is to theorise about the determinants of academic reputation and the moderating effects of aspiration performance in Latin-American universities present in three of the most important rankings in the world: The Times Higher Education, QS World University Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). To achieve the research purpose, a time series panel is performed. Our general model trying to evaluate the effect of aspirational performance 15 on the relationship between Faculty quality (Research and Teaching) and Academic Reputation in Latin American Countries was specified. The database considered in the research includes the universities classified in the Times Higher Education ranking (THE), QS World University Rankings (QS), and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) from 20 2011 to 2022. Concerning the results, it was possible to verify that the ranking of performance in research and the ranking of performance in quality does not have a significant relationship with academic reputation. While ranking performance in quality and research according to the category of countries, a positive and robust impact was observed. 25 Similarly, it was found that the regions’ moderating effect on the relationship between quality and research and its impact on the academic reputation of higher education institutions. As a general conclusion of the article, it is possible to show that regional dynamics of the location of university institutions define the strategy from which the institution’s 30 performance is improved. Therefore, the importance of the influence of environmental actors on performance is identified.

An Empirical Investigation of Absorptive Capacity on Technology Transfer Effectiveness Through Organizational Innovation

Purpose: Achieving technology transfer effectiveness (TTE) remains challenging in developing and underdeveloped economies to improve social infrastructures and develop economic systems. Bringing effectiveness in technology transfer is a complicated process for organizations that require improvement in their absorptive capacity (ACAP) and organizational innovation (OI). In the Information and communication technology (ICT) sector of Pakistan, technology transfer is ineffective due to a lack of ACAP and OI. This study aims to investigate the impact of ACAP and OI on TTE in the ICT sector of Pakistan.
 
 Theoretical framework: This study empirically investigated the relationship of ACAP and OI with TTE with underpinning organizational learning theory.
 
 Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey design was adapted for collecting data from 393 management representatives from 33 organizations of two main sub-sectors (Telecommunications and Information Technology) of the ICT sector of Pakistan. PLS-SEM was used for the reliability and validity measurement of research constructs. It also tested the hypothesized relationships between ACAP, OI, and TTE.
 
 Findings: This study confirmed the significant relationship of ACAP and OI with TTE. Further, the results also confirmed the mediation of OI between ACAP and TTE in the ICT sector of Pakistan.
 
 Research, Practical & Social implications: The implication of this research is to help government institutions and public and private sectors to develop mechanisms, economic policies, strategies, and business support for effective technology transfer in the ICT sector. This research model is also helpful for researchers and practitioners in its applicability in other industries, countries, and cross-cultural environments.
 
 Originality/value: Due to the lack of research in the ICT sector of Pakistan, this study empirically investigated the hypothesized significant relationships of ACAP and OI with TTE. This study also filled the research gap by evaluating the significant mediation of OI between ACAP and TTE and contributed to the body of knowledge.

Organisational learning and sustainable tourism: the enabling role of digital transformation

PurposeOrganisational learning drives tourism organisations towards more sustainable tourism. Digital transformation also provides opportunities for sustainable tourism development. This study aims to combine these perspectives and explore how digital transformation enables organisational learning to contribute to sustainable tourism, following organisational learning theory (OLT).Design/methodology/approachBased on a critical realist paradigm, this study focuses on developing an in-depth understanding of organisational learning in tourism organisations. Thirty qualitative interviews with tourism organisations participating in an executive development programme (EDP) show how tourism organisations create, retain and transfer knowledge.FindingsThis study demonstrates that the EDP initiates knowledge creation through content transmission and exchange, triggers knowledge retention through utilisation of digital technologies and reinforces digitalisation through data value creation. Furthermore, this study enables knowledge transformation as implementation, which contributes to the three pillars of sustainable tourism and facilitates the development of networks encouraging sustainable tourism.Originality/valueThis study identifies approaches that enable economic, social and environmentally sustainable tourism development by facilitating collaborations via digital transformation, digital technologies that guide guest streams, online mobility offers and online environmental awareness campaigns that reduce environmental impacts. Thus, this study strengthens OLT and has implications for organisational learning and tourism policymakers.

Integrating knowledge management and orientation dynamics for organization transition from eco-innovation to circular economy

PurposeThis study focuses on establishing relations with some important but underestimated elements of knowledge dynamics and firm orientations to characterize organizational circular economy activities through eco-innovation (EIN). The advent of the circular economy (CE) in this post-pandemic era has brought unpredictable sustainable challenges for the manufacturing industries. This research paper aims to bring more clarity to the extant literature on the relationship between environmental innovation (EI) and CE.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, a systematic literature review methodology was used to research the determinants of EI in the knowledge environment that drives the implementation of a CE.FindingsThis paper proposes a framework that articulates organizational learning and orientation dynamics and offers a new set of internal knowledge resources for a corporate CE. It is found that change toward CE requires connection with EI. However, successful CE growth largely depends on leveraging knowledge resources and orientation dynamics (stakeholder orientation, sustainability orientation, organization learning orientation and entrepreneurial orientation). CE techniques are still in their early phases of adoption and their implementation is still in its development. Circular knowledge economy (CKE) has the potential to be a useful alternative to achieving thriving CE to achieve sustainability in local and global businesses operations.Practical implicationsThis study helps companies to understand the organizational learning and different orientation dynamics for achieving CE principles. The research findings imply that EI is critical in establishing a sustainable transition toward CE through organizational learning and orientation dynamics and has garnered significant attention from academics, public policymakers and practitioners. The proposed framework can guide managers to develop sustainable policies related to the CE. This research recognizes that firm-level CKE is important in shaping how knowledge resources relate to CE within transition management literature.Originality/valueThis paper abridges the knowledge gap in identifying key drivers and presents the current eminence, challenges and prognostications of sustainable EI parameters in the changing climate of CE. This study builds a framework that combines insights from different viewpoints and disciplines and extends one’s understanding of the relationship between EI and CE. From a theoretical perspective, this study explains the knowledge management complexity links between EI and CE. It builds a theoretical bridge between EI and CE to illustrate how firms transition toward CE following the recommendations. Thus, researchers should continue to support their research with appropriate theories that have the potential to explain EI and CE relationship phenomena, with a particular emphasis on some promising but underutilized theories such as organizational learning, dynamic capabilities and stakeholder theories.

Relating green information acquisition, absorptive capacity, institutional pressure, and firm performance: an environmentally sustainable perspective.

Numerous Chinese manufacturing organizations are grappling with the challenge of absorbing and using greeninformation acquisitionacross the supply chain to achieve excellent firm performance. Utilizing the organizational learning theory's indirect stream of research, we address this research gap by developing a moderated-mediation framework to investigate the impact of green information acquisitionand institutionalpressure on a firm's performance. Hypotheses are evaluated by takinga sample of 567 manufacturing enterprises in China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been applied to analyze and investigate the proposed hypotheses. Empirical results indicate that absorptive capacity significantly mediates the relationship between green information acquisition and firm performance. In a similar vein, institutional pressure significantly moderates the relationship between green information acquisition and firm performance. Study findings have essential managerial recommendationsfor Chinese manufacturing enterprises, proposing that they considerably enhance their absorptive capacity and continuously monitor institutionalpressure to reap the advantages of green information acquisitionon firm performance.

How market orientation affects open innovation? Exploring the role of information and communication technology capability

PurposeBased on the organizational learning theory, this study regards market orientation as market-based learning and seeks to advance insight into how proactive and responsive market orientations affect two kinds of open innovation strategies, sourcing and selling. A firm’s information and communication technology (ICT) capability is considered an essential moderator in these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a quantitative design and used the questionnaire survey method to collect data. The authors finally collected data on samples in China. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that proactive and responsive market orientations act as antecedents of open innovation, showing linear and curvilinear relationships between them. Specifically, responsive market orientation positively affects selling, and proactive market orientation positively affects sourcing. Responsive market orientation has an inverted U-shaped relationship with sourcing, and proactive market orientation has a U-shaped relationship with selling. In addition, ICT capability strengthens the positive effects of market orientation on open innovation and weakens the negative effects.Originality/valueDrawing on organizational learning theory, this study provides a novel perspective to explain the complex mechanism between market orientation and open innovation. This study also explores the moderating role of ICT capability in this process, which advances research on how to select open innovation strategies under different conditions.

The Driving Factors of Innovation Quality of Agricultural Enterprises—A Study Based on NCA and fsQCA Methods

Agricultural product processing enterprises are a significant cornerstone to support the improvement of agricultural economy. How to reinforce the main position of innovation of agricultural product processing enterprises, gather innovation factors, and improve the innovation quality of enterprises is an important question to answer. Based on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) theory, dynamic capability theory, organizational learning theory, and sustainable business model theory, this essay develops a comprehensive system for sustainable innovation quality, takes 36 agricultural processing enterprises in Liaoning province, China, as research samples, and applies necessary condition analysis (NCA) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to recognize the driving factors of innovation quality in agricultural processing enterprises. The results show that: (1) a single driving factor is not a necessary condition for high innovation quality, but entrepreneurship and the enhancement of green technology capability have a more universal role in producing high innovation quality in agricultural product processing corporations; (2) a combination of four paths enables internal and external factors to couple and interact with each other to achieve high sustainable innovation quality in agricultural processing enterprises in Liaoning province, which can be further divided into two major categories. The first category is “entrepreneurship–government support driven path”, in which entrepreneurship and government support are the main drivers, supplemented by green technology capability, organizational learning, and market demand; the second category is “green technology capability–market demand driven path”, in which green technology capability and market demand are the main drivers, supplemented by organizational learning, entrepreneurship, and government support. This paper also identifies seven conditional configurations that lead to non-high innovation quality, which can be categorized as the technology-inhibited type, entrepreneurship-deprived type, and government and market-driven type. The discoveries of this paper have significant hypothetical and practical value for improving the innovation quality of agricultural enterprises.

Faculty Members’ Perception of Learning Organization: A Case of Higher Education Institutions

Based on the learning organization theory the main purpose of this research is to discuss how demographics variables affect the learning organization disciplines perception in faculty members of higher education institutes (HEIs) of Pakistan. This study explores that how demographic variables affect the learning organization disciplines perception at the HEIs level. We use the demographic variables and learning organization model in higher education institutions of Pakistan. In doing so, we used a survey instrument to collect data from 253 faculty members of HEIs in Pakistan. In addition, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with the same respondents. Study findings revealed that there is a low application of the learning organization disciplines in HEIs in Pakistan. Further study also explains that demographic variables generated a variance of 2.7% in learning organization culture. Further, this study suggested some substantial implications for universities and regulatory bodies of HEIs.

Impact of enterprise ambidexterity capability and experience learning on cross-border M&A performance: evidence from China

Research background: Through cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A), enterprises in China can improve their technological innovation and organizational management capabilities to make up for the disadvantages of outsiders and enhance their international competitiveness. However, due to the lack of experience, the success rate of cross-border M&A of China enterprises is low, and the performance changes after M&A differ. How to maximize the advantages of cross-border M&A in obtaining technical resources and how to improve the performance of cross-border M&A are important issues that China?s cross-border M&A enterprises and academic circles need to solve. Purpose of the research: The aim of this study is to analyze the mechanism and boundary conditions of firms? capability to exploit resources (RTC) and capability to explore resources (REC) with regard to cross-border M&A performance from the perspective of experience learning based on organizational learning theory and resource-based theory. Methods: With 173 China A-share listed companies with cross-border M&A events from 2010 to 2020 as samples, this study uses hierarchical regression analysis to test the impact of REC and RTC on cross-border M&A performance and its mechanism. In the robustness test, this study adopts the measures of changing dependent and independent variables lagged for one year for analysis. In the mechanism test, this study uses intermediary and mediation effect models. Findings & value added: The results show that RTC and REC have positive effects on the performance of cross-border M&A. Prior experience learning (PE) and vicarious experience learning (VE) increase the probability of companies making cross-border M&A decisions and have positive effects on cross-border M&A performance. Moreover, PE and VE play a partial mediating role in the positive impact of REC and RTC on cross-border M&A performance, respectively. Formal and informal institutional distance weaken the positive effects of REC and RTC on the performance of cross-border M&A. Enterprises in emerging economies should adapt to the institutional environment of the host country to reduce the negative impact of institutional distance while taking advantage of experience learning when carrying out cross-border M&A.

How organizations leverage digital technology to develop customization and enhance customer relationship performance: An empirical investigation

Digital technology (DT) is critical for realizing customization to create business value. However, research on how DT affects customization and customer relationship performance is limited and lacks clarity. Drawing upon organizational learning theory, we examine the impact of firms' DT use on customization and subsequent customer relationship performance. Using survey data from 214 Chinese firms, we find that both DT use for customer exploitation and DT use for customer exploration have positive effects on customization. The effect of DT use for customer exploration on customization is moderated by absorptive capacity. Customization has a positive impact on customer relationship performance. This study contributes to the current literature and managerial practice by promoting a systemic conceptualization of customization and empirically examining the mechanism of DT-driven customization and its benefits.

Economic crisis, innovation and organizational responses: evidence from Brazil

PurposeThe economic crisis of 2008 resulted in a unique context for the empirical experimentation of organizational learning and entrepreneurship theories from Schumpeterian inspiration. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the economic downturns change the limits and possibilities to pursue both exploration and exploitation and thus achieve innovative performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines an original database with the patent portfolio of 2,309 firms based in Brazil, covering a period of eight years preceding the 2008 economic crisis, that is 2000–2007, and five years thereafter, 2008–2013. To test the hypotheses empirically, the authors use the negative binomial model.FindingsThe findings add to the literature in two ways. First, this study found a positive association between exploitation and exploration behaviour and innovative performance. However, this relation is curvilinear because there are diminishing negative effects on innovation. Second, regarding the distinction between creative destruction and creative accumulation, the results support the prevalence of creative accumulation, although consistent with the notion of co-occurrence of both models.Originality/valueThis study expands the discussion on how entrepreneurs respond to the economic crisis in specific contexts of an emerging economy. We provide new empirical evidence through the exploration of a unique data set on the patent portfolio of 2,309 firms based in Brazil. Most of the previous literature has applied this topic to developed countries, and there are few studies that apply this topic outside the focus of US and European countries.

Managerial Dilemmas and Entrepreneurial Challenges in the Ambidexterity of SMEs: A Systematic Review for Execution System

According to the organizational learning theory, there are two types of corporate activities, exploitation and exploration, for enhancing and improving corporate performance. However, organizations are continually faced with choosing between these two conflicting activities that require different organizational structures, strategies, and environments, respectively. This study’s objective is to use a systematic review methodology to investigate how implementing organizational ambidexterity affects managerial performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Although there is a general consensus about the relationship between ambidexterity and firm performance, few studies have probed into the mechanism of how it is applied to management process and what antecedents affect the implementation of OA in SMEs. The qualitative method was conducted to investigate the influence of the ambidexterity strategy of SMEs on firm performance. According to the findings, organizational ambidexterity in SMEs has a positive impact on the firm’s managerial performance. SMEs must make decisions that consider environmental factors. Making practical decisions based on accurate formation, considering organizational human resources for implementing ambidexterity, and sharing specific performance goals are all important considerations. This study is also important for SMEs’ top management teams to make proper decisions for the firm’s sustainable growth via OA, and shed new light on the literature of organization theory that operates in a more turbulent environment.

Intellectual Capital, Supply Chain Learning, and Adaptability: A Comparative Investigation in China and the United States

This article investigates the relationship between intellectual capital, supply chain learning, and supply chain adaptability. Specifically, relying on organizational learning theory, a research model is proposed linking intellectual capital (consisting of the trichotomy of human, organizational, and social capital), supply chain learning (consisting of supplier learning and customer learning) and supply chain adaptability. We scrutinize these relationships in two culturally-diverse contexts, China and USA, and develop hypotheses concerning the differences in the relative strengths of these relationships. Data from 300 Chinese and 229 USA manufacturers in high-tech industries are used to test these hypotheses. While the relationships are generally supported, especially insightful are the results where they differ between the two countries. While human capital is more important in influencing organizational capital in USA, social capital is more important in China. Social capital also plays a more significant role in influencing customer learning in China, while no statistical differences are detected in social capital's influence on supplier learning across the two countries. The divergence observed can be explained by the cultural differences between the two countries. Implications are provided for managers in both countries to improve supply chain adaptability.

Supply chain integration and novelty-centered business model design: An organizational learning perspective

Although novelty-centered business model design (NBMD) has attracted much attention, how it is affected by supply chain integration (SCI) is still inconclusive. Based on organizational learning theory, this study investigates how three dimensions of SCI (i.e., information integration, operational integration, and relational integration) affect NBMD via inter-organizational learning and the moderating role of big data analytics skills. We test hypotheses by utilizing survey data from 277 Chinese manufacturing firms. Our results indicate that both information integration and operational integration have positive impacts on NBMD. In addition, inter-organizational learning partially mediates the impacts of information integration and operational integration on NBMD. Our research also reveals that big data analytics skills strengthen the positive impact of relational integration on inter-organizational learning. This study provides theoretical and managerial insights for NBMD.

Interactive Interventions Can Improve Hand Hygiene and Aseptic Techniques During Perioperative Care—Experience From the “Safe Hands” Project

PurposeThis paper evaluates a theory-driven, interactive hand hygiene (HH) intervention, the Safe Hands project, based on theories of organizational learning and culture including leadership support, dialogue and co-creation. DesignThis prospective quasi-experimental study used unobtrusive overt observations to evaluate adherence to HH recommendations after implementing an infection-prevention intervention. MethodsThe primary outcome was differences in HH practices “Before aseptic/clean procedure” (WHO moment 2), “After body fluid exposure risk” (WHO moment 3) and performance of aseptic techniques. One operating room (OR) department served as the study hospital and the other as the control hospital, both at Swedish university hospitals. Adherence to HH guidelines was measured 4 times during 2015 to 2017. FindingsThe intervention site displayed a significant improvement in adherence to HH guidelines and aseptic techniques. WHO 2; from 23.8% to 36.2%, (P = .014), WHO 3; from 22.2% to 42.3%, (P = .002), and aseptic techniques; from 17.5% to 31.6%, (P = .003). No changes in adherence were identified at the control site. The use of contaminated gloves decreased post intervention at the study operating department. ConclusionsThis study shows that implementing tailored interventions that are underpinned by theories from organizational learning and culture can improve adherence to hand hygiene in a complex setting as the OR up to 6 months post-intervention. The interprofessional co-creation of standards operating procedures addressing specific care procedures and emphasizing the importance of aseptic techniques can be an acceptable and feasible way to reduce the risks of contaminating medical devices and patients during perioperative care.

Lessons from pragmatism: Organizational learning as resolving tensions at work

In the article, we propose to frame organizational learning as inquiry into and resolving tensions arising from the performance of different commitments to work and its organizing. We expand learning as participation with its focus upon identity and membership to the development of work and the experiences and knowledge of its participants. The proposal is inspired by pragmatist philosophy both through its emphasis on learning as ascribing meaning to experience and its sociological version, symbolic interactionism with its emphasis on work and its organizing in social arenas/worlds. We show that a pragmatist learning theory, founded on principles of non-dualistic, non-hierarchy, and a non-linear view on relations, thinking and practice aligns well with the proposed refurbished learning approach via complexity theory in this special issue. Further, we propose that Dewey’s pragmatism adds an important feature to a refurbished theory of learning in organizations by emphasizing the tensional and uncertain aspects of situations as contextual wholes that for a pragmatist learning theory constitute the analytical point of departure.

The Mediating and Moderating Effect of Organizational Resilience on Competitive Advantage: Evidence from Chinese Companies

Enhancing organizational resilience is an important way for enterprises to achieve sustained competitive advantage. Based on dynamic capability theory, organizational learning theory, and resource-based theory, this study constructs a theoretical model of organizational resilience and sustained competitive advantage with organizational learning as the mediating variable and environmental dynamism as the moderating variable. This study is based on questionnaire research data from 462 Chinese companies in selected regions as the research sample for empirical testing, and the results show that organizational resilience helps Chinese companies to gain sustainable competitive advantage; organizational learning plays a mediating role between organizational resilience and sustainable competitive advantage; and environmental dynamics has a positive moderating role between organizational resilience and organizational learning, and can positively regulate the path of organizational resilience affecting sustainable competitive advantage through organizational learning. In view of this, we propose practical insights for Chinese companies on three levels: motivating mechanisms for organizational resilience, shaping a good learning environment, and paying attention to the dynamics of the environment.