An inquiry into the front roads and back alleys of organisational learning
Report
Permanent lenke
http://hdl.handle.net/11250/151337Utgivelsesdato
2007Metadata
Vis full innførselSamlinger
Sammendrag
This paper discusses organisational learning based in data from a fieldwork focussing on
safety and safety learning. The theoretical framework of the paper emphasises the inherent
complexities of learning processes and the paper argues that organisational learning is not a
linear and straightforward process. The findings and tentative propositions are seen
through the lenses of frontstage vs. backstage performances, situated sensemaking, local
knowledge and singleloop vs. doubleloop learning. Learning as managerially designed
processes as opposed to learning as complex and situated processes are presented and
discussed as two paradigms for learning, and frontstage and backstage learning situations
are analysed. It is argued that organisational members participate in and identify with
learning efforts both front- and backstage, but that learning interpretations in one arena very
seldom cross over to other arenas. The question is raised whether this situation is
prominent in organisations where the culture and identity is portrayed as “strong”.
It is further argued that the barriers between organisational arenas have consequences for
organisational learning since the richness and nuances of local knowledge often are kept in
their locations and not shared out in the wider organisation. Lastly, I discuss “the
rationale” for keeping this knowledge at organisational backstages, and we also tentatively
discuss whether/how it might be possible to let backstage knowledge become included in
the wider organisational efforts.
Beskrivelse
Fra Proceedings of OLKC 2007 - "Learning Fusion". International Conference on Organizational Learning, Knowledge and Capabilities. London, Ontario, Canada, 14.-17. juni 2007.