the utility of the concept of the learning organization.

The Utility of the Concept of the Learning Organization

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The Utility of the Concept of the Learning Organization

The concept of an organization functioning like a brain is interesting to say the least . The readings suggested that the organization functions as a brain in the technological processes , including computer systems and databases , and in the social networking of the employees The essential concept is that employees become knowledge workers applying their intelligence and expertise to the functioning of their jobs and relating that knowledge

to others . Hence , the term learning organization

Analysis of Two Cases

In The Learning Organization Meets the Long Tail , Dennis Kilian (2007 defines a learning organization as , made up of individuals who share a set of common principles and guiding practices , continuously strive for proficiency , and share and reflect on their own perceptions for the purpose of enabling open dialogue with others and team learning ' He further discusses how many organizations apply the concept of the learning organization to their business processes . His primary focus is on enabling knowledge workers to apply their specialized knowledge to organizational processes , not just through knowledge capture into digital systems , but through employee empowerment and open communication

In Avnet : Learning at All Levels , Brian Summerfield (2007 ) describes how Steve Church applies the concept of a learning organization to Avnet 'Avnet 's strategy focuses on three pillars for success : profitable growth , operational excellence and the development of our people Church 's strategy for managing the operational excellence and the development of our people ' is to focus on engagement of employees instead of retaining them . He believes that strategies that focus on engaging employees will result in higher morale and a greater dissemination of essential information . Avnet accomplishes this by making everyone a key player in employee development . Innovative programs like management- and executive-facilitated training offered to all employees of every level encourage the employees to develop to their greatest capacity . Open communication encourages the development of new ideas . All these initiatives result in a marked improvement of the bottom line

Both approaches value employee motivation , empowerment and open communication . However , Kilian 's approach focuses on better utilizing the technological aspect of a learning organization and Church 's approach focuses on better developing the human , social aspect of a learning organization

Analysis of the Readings

Church 's approach is a closer match to the concepts suggested by Krebs in Knowledge Networks : Mapping and Measuring Knowledge Creation (1998 Although at first glance , it would appear that Krebs is technologically focused , he employs the use of technology to better understand the social aspect of organizations . Krebs uses technology to map the social networks created by workers to better utilize employee strengths

John Farago and HYPERLINK "http /www .skyrme .com /dsa /david .htm " David J . Skyrme in The Learning Organization (1995 ) focus on a technique that fits in with both Church 's and Kilian 's approaches . They suggest that a manager must create a learning culture , create processes that encourage interaction...