Download WS-2009-ORG Learning Theory - Foundation for the Advancement

Seeking the Robust Core of
Organizational Learning
Theory
Steven E. Wallis, Ph.D.
Author, Editor, Consultant & Metatheorist
[email protected]
Fielding Graduate University
Winter Session
January 6-10, 2009 Santa Barbara, California
Steven E. Wallis, Ph.D.
A brief bio…
Steven E. Wallis received his Ph.D. from Fielding
Graduate University in 2006. His academic work
focuses on “theory of theory” where he is pioneering
insights and tools to support scholars as they create
improved theory for more effective practice.
Currently Steve is editing an academic book,
“Cybernetics and Systems Theory in Management:
Tools, Views and Advancements “ with IGI Global.
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Abstract:
The underlying theory has not been well
defined for organizational learning theory
(OLT)
Insights from complexity theory (CT) suggest
a new view on the structure of theory
An interdisciplinary cross-section of OL theory
is analyzed to determine an overall level of
“robustness” (objective internal integrity)
This investigation found SE theory to have a
robustness of 0.16 (on a scale of zero to one)
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OLT is not well defined
so we ask…
How might we define theory more
clearly?
How might we test theory – before
practice?
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What is “theory” ?
Conceptually similar to schema, mental
models, frame for sensemaking, or lens
to see the world
A set of interrelated propositions
Begs the question…
… How well interrelated are they?
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Applying CT to Understand a
System of Thought
Complexity theory suggests the importance of
Mutual Causality & Interdependence
Because a theory may be understood as a
system, it may be possible to apply that
general idea to the propositions within a
theory
So… more interdependence of aspects
suggests more validity of theory
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More Co-causality Between
Aspects Makes a Theory More
Robust
Low robustness is seen in a list of
bullet-point claims (A is true)
Slightly more robustness may be seen
in causal propositions (A causes B)
High robustness is seen in Newton’s
formula: F=ma (each is co-causal)
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…IMPORTANTLY…
Highly robust theories of math &
physics have shown more effective
falsifiability & application than the
low-robust theories of the social
sciences
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Methodology
1. Investigate papers on organizational
learning to find concise propositions of
theory
2. Identify those propositions that are cocausal or “concatenated” (concatenated
propositions describe links between multiple
aspects and multiple causalities)
3. Calculate robustness
Robustness is the ratio of
concatenated aspects to all aspects in
the body of theory.
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Abstractly… is the proposition
concatenated, or not?
A is true, B is true, C is true.
These are atomistic truth-claims (not concatenated)
A causes B, B causes C, C causes D.
These are linear truth-claims (not concatenated)
(Worse, B and C are redundant!)
“A and B cause C”
This is a “concatenated” relationship and so is
more complex and is considered more useful to
this form of analysis
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Test of Robustness-Example
Ohm’s law of electricity (I=E/R) contains three claims:
1.
2.
3.
Changes in amps and resistance cause changes in volts
Changes in volts and resistance cause changes in amps
Changes in amps and volts cause changes in resistance
There are three aspects (amps, volts,
resistance) and all three are concatenated
Three divided by three equals one
So, Ohm’s law has a robustness of one
It is falsifiable and effective in application
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Organizational Learning Theory
There are 19 aspects (identified as
dimensions in the following diagram)
Of these, three aspects are concatenated
(Exploration, Exploitation , and Firm success)
because they emerge from two or more other
dimensions
This theory has a robustness of 0.16
(the result of three concatenated aspects
divided by 19 total aspects).
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More diverse
affiliation
More
socialization
More distribution
of knowledge
More shared beliefs
More crossfunctional
affiliations
More job rotation
More exploration
(acquisition of new
knowledge)
More
connectedness
More exploitation
(use of existing
knowledge)
More
formalization
Causes Less
More capital
investment
More knowledge
More
involvement with
other firms
Longer life of firm
More firm success
Greater
knowledge
imbalance
More new firms
created
More strategic
instability
More industry
instability
Influences between aspects of
Organizational Learning Theory
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Paths to Improve Robustness
(and so improve falsifiability & usefulness)
Drop extraneous aspects
“Close the loop” by identifying how
existing aspects are causally related
Empirical testing is not indicated at this
low level of robustness
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Importance of creating Robust
Version of Organizational
Learning Theory
1. More reliable/effectively useable
2. May be used to improve human
condition
3. More falsifiable (and so improvable)
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To Conclude…
Organizational Learning theory suggests great
potential benefits for individuals and
organizations.
The concept of robustness suggests great
potential for advancing Organizational
Learning theory
OLT has a low robustness (0.16) suggesting it
is not effective in practice
Let’s collaborate to improve OLT!
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