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On dialectics in theorizing: the contingent nature of organizational learning

On dialectics in theorizing: the contingent nature of organizational learning During the past decades, numerous contributions to organizational learning have emerged. However, these theories are plagued by the same paradoxical core that prevents organizational learning from being unambiguously determined or stably located throughout the entire organization and its individuals. The purpose of this paper is to understand how researchers approach this issue.Design/methodology/approachThrough a meta-lens, this conceptual study observes how researchers are taming the paradox of organizational learning, referring exclusively to the theories that deal with its inherent paradox.FindingsThe author distinguishes fundamentally different theorizing strategies. Therefore, the paper aims not to sharpen the elusive and fuzzy nature of organizational learning but to sharpen the elusive understanding that its nature is fuzzy. As a consequence, the study further emphasizes how challenging an instrumental use of the academic construct of organizational learning for practicing managers outside research laboratories is.Originality/valueThe paper contributes (first) to the core understanding of the inherently conflicting construct of organizational learning by (second) uncovering the dialectics of the theories concerning it – the former only becomes feasible as a result of the latter. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Organizational Analysis Emerald Publishing

On dialectics in theorizing: the contingent nature of organizational learning

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
1934-8835
DOI
10.1108/ijoa-10-2019-1905
Publisher site
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Abstract

During the past decades, numerous contributions to organizational learning have emerged. However, these theories are plagued by the same paradoxical core that prevents organizational learning from being unambiguously determined or stably located throughout the entire organization and its individuals. The purpose of this paper is to understand how researchers approach this issue.Design/methodology/approachThrough a meta-lens, this conceptual study observes how researchers are taming the paradox of organizational learning, referring exclusively to the theories that deal with its inherent paradox.FindingsThe author distinguishes fundamentally different theorizing strategies. Therefore, the paper aims not to sharpen the elusive and fuzzy nature of organizational learning but to sharpen the elusive understanding that its nature is fuzzy. As a consequence, the study further emphasizes how challenging an instrumental use of the academic construct of organizational learning for practicing managers outside research laboratories is.Originality/valueThe paper contributes (first) to the core understanding of the inherently conflicting construct of organizational learning by (second) uncovering the dialectics of the theories concerning it – the former only becomes feasible as a result of the latter.

Journal

International Journal of Organizational Analysis – Emerald Publishing

Published: Apr 22, 2020

Keywords: Dialectics; Organizational learning; Meta-analysis; Paradox; Theorizing; Superposition

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