Wk8 - Organisational learning

Question 1

What is learning?

Answer 1

The process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience.

Question 2

What are the axes of Kolb’s learning model?

Answer 2

• feeling vs thinking

- doing vs watching

Question 3

What are Kolb’s four criteria for learning styles?

Answer 3

• concrete experience - feeling
• active experimentation - doing
• reflective observation - watching
• abstract conceptualisation - thinking

Question 4

In Kolb’s learning model - what are the four orientations to learning?

Answer 4

Accommodator - CE, AE
Diverger - CE, RO
Converger - AE, AC
Assimilator - AC, RO

Question 5

What are the characteristics of: accommodators

Answer 5

Good at:
getting things done
risk taking
suited for leadership

bad at - trivial improvements, meaningless activity

Question 6

What are the characteristics of: divergers

Answer 6

Good at:
imaginative ability
understanding people
recognising problems
brainstorm

Bad at:
indecisive, paralysed by alternatives

Question 7

What are the characteristics of: convergers

Answer 7

Good at:
problem solving
decision making
deductive reasoning

Bad at:
solving wrong problems
hasty decision making

Question 8

What are the characteristics of: assimilators

Answer 8

Good at:
planning
creating models
defining problems
developing theories

Bad at:
practical application

Question 9

What are the three types of organisational learning?

Answer 9

Haphazard learning
Goal base/single loop learning
Double loop learning

Question 10

What is double loop learning?

Answer 10

single loop learning - action strategy/technique “what we do” -> results and consequences “what we obtain”
Double loop learning questions fundamental assumptions of the action strategy/technique, questions “why we do what we do”

Question 11

When is double loop learning most appropriate?

Answer 11

Suited to hyperturbulent Environments.

Question 12

What is a learning organisation?

Answer 12

continually facilitates learning of all its members and continuously transforms itself

Question 13

What are the characteristics of a learning organisation?

Answer 13

• systematic problem solving
• experimentation
• learning from past experience
• learning from others
• transferring knowledge

Question 14

What are barriers to organisational learning at both individual and organisation levels?

Answer 14

Individual:

• conformity
• making assumptions
• fear of risk taking

Organisational:

• creativity itself
• standardisation
• specialisation
• the organisation itself

Question 15

What is organisational ambidexterity?

Answer 15

Focuses on both exploration and exploitation.

Question 16

What is exploration in terms of organisational ambidexterity?

Answer 16

Radical innovation - exploring new ideas or processes as well as developing new products and processes. Can lead to ‘failure trap’.

Question 17

What is exploitation in terms of organisational ambidexterity?

Answer 17

incremental innovation focus aimed at improving established designs, expanding current products/services or improving current distribution channels.
Can lead to ‘competence trap’

Question 18

What is an example of a ‘competence trap’?

Answer 18

eg. Kodak

Question 19

What is an example of a ‘failure trap’?

Answer 19

eg. Apple Newton - message pad. New coke.

Question 20

What are senge’s five disciplines?

Answer 20

Personal mastery
Shared vision
Team learning
Mental models
Systems thinking