What is Organizational Learning?

Take a moment to learn about the slippery but important concept of organizational learning
(and related topics)!

There are a variety of terms that often overlap with organizational learning, including
organizational development and knowledge management…Learn more!

Here is a definition of organizational development from the textbook Essentials of Organization

Development and Change (Cummings and Worley, 2001):

Organizational development is a systemwide application of behavorial science

knowledge to the planned development, improvement, and reinforcement of the
strategies, structures, and processes that lead to organizational effectiveness.

The notion of effectiveness is important…Organizational learning and development should lead

to a variety of both qualitative and quantitative positive outcomes, including enhanced
organizational effectiveness. Ideally, there should be deeper levels of learning and performance
improvement taking place on an ongoing basis that help narrow any gaps between strategy,
planning, and goals, on the one hand, and performance, or effectiveness, on the other. A key part
of effectiveness (and organizational learning) is developing an organizational culture that is
adaptable, able to make appropriate adjustments as needed in response to changes in the
environment, whether new knowledge, circumstances, challenges, or opportunities.

Knowledge management is also often used as a synonym for organizational leaning—but are
they the same? Click here to view a 3-minute video clip that explains what the two concepts have
in common, at their core. Note all the additional Knowledge Management and Organizational
Learning videos on the right side of the YouTube page. Feel free to listen to others if this topic
interests you. (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INwclWL2N_k)

Click here to read a general definition of organizational learning, and related resources and
links, including about single and double loop learning. (Link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organizational_learning)

So what, then, is double loop learning? Click here to access the introduction to an article
(“Double Loop Learning in Organizations”) from the Harvard Business Review (note: the
introduction gives an example and explains the basic concept; to access the full article you have
to subscribe or buy the PDF). (Link:
https://hbr.org/1977/09/double-loop-learning-in-organizations/ar/1)

Peter Senge, one of the pioneers of organizational learning, talks about the importance of systems
thinking for people in any organization. Click here to learn about the basics of systems thinking.
You can click on the YouTube logo in the lower right corner to view the video on that
site and to see additional videos by Peter Senge. (Link:
http://www.mutualresponsibility.org/science/what-is-systems-thinking-peter-senge-explains-
systems-thinking-approach-and-principles)