Learning company for sustainable competitiveness: Towards a model and theory development

Abstract

Previous studies on learning organizations do not provide a strategic framework of adapting organizational learning for sustainable competitiveness. This paper reviews various contributions on developing learning companies with an objective of proposing ideal management practices for sustainable competitiveness. Based on existing literature review, the essence of integrating business strategy with learning which helps the organization realize sustainable competitiveness. The paper holds that managers need to identify learner’s needs and provide conducive learning opportunities and nurture knowledge sharing as part of organizational culture. Further, existing incentives should enhance the desire to learn, as well as developing appropriate mechanisms, leadership and management approaches. The paper adopts the systems approach to exhibit how organizational learning may be adapted within organizational settings. Based on existing theories and previous discussions, the paper seeks to show how organizational learning may be modeled and implemented in developing countries within large and small firms in the 21st century. In conclusions drawn and recommendations for further research emphasis is laid on the need to link organizational learning to performance as a grey area to be explored.