Key Functions
The literature on learning organizations suggests that certain key tasks must be undertaken for an organization
to learn effectively. Figure 4 presents a set of competences that might need to be developed to support learning,
largely from a functional perspective.
Adaptive and Generative Learning
It is also helpful to demarcate some dimensions of the learning organization in terms of adaptive and generative
learning, the two most commonly cited distinguishing characteristics of organizational learning. Table 1 selects
a few attributes of learning primarily from a structural perspective.
Learning
Climate
Executive
Practices
Vision and
Strategy
Organizational
and Job
Structures
Managerial
Practices
Information
Flow
Individual and
Team
Practices
Performance
Goals and
Feedback
Work
Processes
Rewards and
Recognition
Learning and
Development
Individual and
Team
Development
Figure 3: Learning Management Systems
Source: Author.
Gathering Internal
Experience
Communication
Systems
Developing an
Organizational
Memory
Accessing
External Learning
Integrating
Learning into
Strategy and
Policy
Applying the
Learning
Drawing
Conclusions
Creating a
Supportive
Culture
Figure 4: Key Functions
Source: Britton, B. 1998. The Learning NGO. International NGO Training
and Research Center Occasional Paper No. 17. Available: www.intrac.
org/docs/OPS17.pdf