Transformational and adaptive learning within the learning organization: a framework for research and application

Abstract

States that organizational learning is currently a fashionable concept, and this is due to an attempt by many large organizations to develop structures and systems that are more adaptable and responsive to change. Reviews a framework for organizational learning and discusses the two main perspectives on the learning organization, that is, the focus on generative or transformational learning and the focus on incremental or adaptive learning. First, reviews a framework for organizational learning and examines the learning organization with regard to the twofold nature of organizational learning. Second, examines the generative or transformational perspective of the learning organization and how this has been developed in the literature. Third, looks at the incremental or adaptive perspective of the learning organization that has been presented in some recent literature. Examines a formula for a learning organization for application. Shows that this model integrates leadership vision, measurement of goals, internal/external data collection, inventiveness and proactive implementation to create a successful design. Concludes by integrating the two perspectives on the learning organization into the reviewed framework for congruence.

Citation

Appelbaum, S.H. and Goransson, L. (1997), "Transformational and adaptive learning within the learning organization: a framework for research and application", The Learning Organization, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 115-128. https://doi.org/10.1108/09696479710182803