Argyris and Schon (1978)

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Argyris and Schon (1978) - Organisational Learning

Model 1: Managers make decisions to meet individual needs, meaning they distanced themselves from their workforce and did not do anything to rock the boat, so to speak. They will inflict change on others, but not on themselves.

Single-loop learning is associated with Model 1. It is the detection and correction of organisational error that enables the firm to carry on as normal, rather than requiring change.

Model 2: Managers act on information and change themselves. This results in a virtuous circle of learning and understanding.

Double-loop learning is where learning and change at all levels of the organisation is encouraged.

Deutero-learning is examining the learning processes themselves and changing them!

The authors mention knowledge management, where firms should organise what’s in people’s heads, rather than the people themselves.