Replying to Brian's
>For my research (PhD), I am keen to understand what qualities a
>Learning Organisation exhibits to the outside world and whether these
>can be measured and compared with other non-learning companies. My
>only idea to date, is to take an industry and a well-publicised
>discontinuity and to analyse how quickly and how well companies have
>either anticipated or responded to the event.
>
>Second, it would seem to be accepted that individuals and indeed the
>organisation can make mistakes in the *short-term* in order to achieve
>real and sustainable competitive advantage in the *longer-term*. My
>question is, over what period of time should a Learning Organisation
>be judged? If it is too long then shareholders will perhaps switch to
>another company's stock/shares.
My initial reaction to this was it can't be done. Simply meaning that
such measurements must be relative and that tells you nothing useful
really. But then I started to think about how some organisations I've
worked with have adapted more quickly than others to Health & Safety
Legislation changes. In one case in particular after a serious accident
and consequental court case. And a metaphor came to mind that I'd like to
share - sorry about that!
But let's suppose there are two dogs. And doggy one, while growing up,
bites a child. This leads (excuse the pun) to swift kick in the rear from
doggy one's owner. And doggy one never bites another child in its life.
Doggy one is a fast learner folks!
Meanwhile, doggy two next door occassionally growls at children all
through its life, but never actually bites any. And probably, later in
life, gets a reputation for being a grumpy old dog (relatively).
I'll leave you to decide which dog you would rather own. I'm going for a
walk.
Bye!
Peter H. Jones - Peopletronics, PO Box 30 451, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
Tel/Fax 64 4 569 8875. Home Page http://www.actrix.gen.nz/users/phj/
--phj@actrix.gen.nz (Peter H. Jones)
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>