Critical aspects of organizational learning research and proposals for itsmeasurement

Based on an extensive literature review, this paper reveals several gaps in organizational learning (OL) research that need filling before we can real ly talk about a theory of organizational learning or verify the traits and very existence of learning organizations (LO) as a phenomenon, The critique , however, is not targeted at any single model or theory of organizational learning, but at theory building, which constantly drifts away with new def initions and approaches that break up rather than construct a theory. Despi te the fact that numerous consultation tools for turning organizations into learning models have been developed and applied, the concept of organizati onal learning itself still remains vague and there is an urgent need for a holistic model of Dr, Too much emphasis is put on studying the learning of individuals instead of concentrating on the learning of organizations. Sinc e the theory is highly dispersed and does not really build on earlier findi ngs, rich empirical studies are needed in order to validate measures of org anizational learning. Modelling of the organizational learning process and clarification of how learning of individuals is turned into learning of org anizations is needed. This paper introduces one set of OL measures develope d to study whether organizational learning occurred during the operational and business culture change process of a single case company. Suggestions f or further OL research are made on the basis of experiences gained when emp irically testing this model.