When learning goes wrong: Common mistakes in how organizations deal with change

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

For many decades, organizations around the world have bought into the assumption that learning provides the key to success. Firms armed with relevant knowledge are best positioned to secure and maintain a competitive advantage. Or so we were led to believe. More recent research has cast significant doubt on such claims. Learning has considerable value. That much is obvious. Being equipped with the requisite knowledge can place companies in positions where errors fall and profits rise. It is not impossible for learning to generate positive results on a consistent basis. Many firms boast people who have acquired a thorough understanding of its operating environment. And having such knowledge makes organizations believe they can make confident predictions about the future. Today’s world rarely stands still though. Indeed, it might even be argued that change is the only constant factor.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Citation

(2017), "When learning goes wrong: Common mistakes in how organizations deal with change", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 31 No. 4, pp. 33-35. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-05-2017-0044