The Concept of the Learning Organization

Starts from the premiss that, although initiatives such as Investors in People and total quality management link with the concept of the learning organization and attempt to inspire change to structural,cultural and ethical aspects of work organization, our understanding of organizations must aspire to a higher level of intellectual analysis if they are to be recognized as complex learning organisms within a turbulent environment. Beginning with a systems approach, explores ways in which organizations may learn and positively influence their environments. Suggests further insight, using biological, cybernetic,dialectical and chaos analyses to connect with the concept of the learning organization. Discusses implications for the position and perception of organizations in society if learning organizations are to evolve, and concludes that, while the concept presents a viable and,indeed, essential ideology to match current and future uncertainty,managers may find the transition problematic, with little guidance to effect such ground‐breaking change.