Organizational Learning

Abstract

This paper develops a ‘third way’ of organizational learning (OL) encompassing two metaphors for learning: acquisition and participation. These two metaphors can be found in the learning theories of OL. The ‘first’ and ‘second way’ of OL are identified as being, respectively, individuals’ skills and knowledge acquisition in organizations as systems, and learning as participation in communities of practice. The ‘third way’ of OL is defined as the development of experience and knowledge by inquiry (or reflective thinking) in social worlds held together by commitment. One of the practical implications of the ‘third way’ of OL is to bring intuition and emotion to the fore in organizational development and learning. The implication for research is to work with situations and events as units of analysis in order to understand individuals and organizations as being mutually forming and formed.