All entries for Sunday 24 October 2010
October 24, 2010
Putting Organisational Learning into practice…
Hi all!
I have been absent from blogging for awhile. Simple reason. Lots of work to get on with. I'll have a more detailed look over my last weeks learning and studies soon, but for now... Organisational Learning. The topic of our seminar on monday, as well as our first presentation. Organisational Learning is a vast topic that many consider difficult to define. Going into its exact definition is a discussion in its own right, but for now our main concern in how we use is in practice. My interpretation from various bits of literature is that the concept comes down to firms putting in place systems to allow learning to take place within the organisation to promote innovation and organisational evolution.Putting organisation learning into practice to become a Learning Organisation requires the organisation in question to ensure certain practices are in place the cultivate, promote and develop the culture of learning. Various processes are mentioned in different sources of literature, but in my opinion come down to a few basic steps required. In a very simplified manner, I believe the following provide the basic foundation of the processes needed to be put in place...
Step 1:
Leadership and Management needs to cultivate a culture of learning within the organisation that will create an organisation wide will for learning.
Step 2:
Ensure the structure and strategy to be put in place is feasible. This should include input from employees, financial viability, flexibility of stucture to facilitate multilevel learning.
Step 3:
Ensure resources are available to facilitate learning and that effective intra organisational communication is present.
Step 4:
Put in place feedback mechanisms that will allows the learning to occure from feedback provided by customers, suppliers, and delivery or services and information.
Step 5:
Reinforcement by management of the culture of learning within the environment.