Learning Organizations

Learning Organizations

Based on the definition of a learning organization — one that is continually enhancing and promoting the capabilities of the individual workers. What are the most significant steps an organization must take to become a learning organization?

According to systems thinking, learning is a process in which each person does something – he/she learns by reading, listening, talking, and doing. Discuss how an organization can put the systems in place to ensure that learning is taking place. How is learning related to systems thinking?

Typically, teams are formed based on the specialties and skills of the individual members. As the members become aligned, they form a cohesive closed-loop unit and complement each other — sharing and learning skills. Because they have become an interdependent system they also learn from each other furthering their skill sets as a unit. What are the significant benefits the team unit brings back to the organization?

When viewing a team as a closed-loop system, each member becomes dependent on the next. How does this dependency influence the dynamics of a team, specifically from a systems perspective? How does a closed-loop system team interact with a learning organization?

When team leaders develop a process relying on the input of each individual member (a collaborative leadership model), how does this affect the systems thinking organization as a whole?

A consultative leader encourages his/her subordinates to share their opinions so that an informed decision can be made — when you combine this with an organization that encourages each individual to share thoughts and ideas with each other, how would you evaluate the relationship between the two? How does the organization balance between a leader seeking input for every decision and one that makes decisions as the leader? How does one know when to act which way?

Discuss how innovation and creativity impact a learning organization within a systems context. Because systems thinking involves relationships between each part of an organization does this leave room for innovation?

Reflecting upon this and your previous classes, what have you learned that you will be able to integrate or synthesize into your dissertation?

Answer Preview
The first most significant step calls for an organization to change from being activity oriented to employee oriented. This means that the organization should change from trying to teach the employees how to accomplish tasks and instead focus…
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