Organisational learning style, competencies and learning systems in small, UK manufacturing firms

Chaston, Ian; Badger, Beryl; Mangles, Terry; Sadler‐Smith, Eugene

doi:10.1108/eum0000000006224

Cited by 76 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…To improve competitiveness, attention is needed not only on individual level learning but also on how organisations can harness individual learning for organisational gain (Chaston et al 2001). It is argued that organisations, particularly small ones, need to orient learning behaviours around specific organisational practices if they are to realize benefits from OL (Chaston et al 2001, Altinay et al 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Organisational learning in SMEs: a process improvement perspective

Matthews

MacCarthy

Braziotis

2017

IJOPM

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Purpose -We investigate how Organisational Learning (OL) can occur through Process Improvement (PI) activities and how this can lead to sustained improvement over time in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach -We study PI practices in six engineering-oriented SMEs via interview-based case studies. We draw from a range of literature and use an OL conceptual framework, informed by Crossan et al.'s (1999) 4I framework, as an analytical lens.Findings -The OL perspective provides new insights to conceptualize the nature of PI as a multi-level practice in SMEs. Effective PI practices within SMEs are shown to be consistent with OL concepts, enabling firms to translate individually identified improvement opportunities into organisational-level changes resulting in sustained benefits. A new conceptual model is presented that explains how SMEs can learn though improvement activities. The key role of management support, both operational and strategic, is highlighted. It is necessary for management to provide sufficient PI opportunities to enable and sustain beneficial learning.Research limitations/implication -The study is based on a sample of engineering-oriented SMEs located in the UK. Further case-based, longitudinal and survey-based research with firms of different types will enhance the generalisability of the findings, allowing the confirmation and extension of the new conceptual model. Practical Implication -The findings provide a theoretically underpinned framework for OL in engineering-oriented SMEs deriving from PI activities. The new model highlights the key mechanisms that enable learning from improvement activities. The presented findings highlight the key role of management in introducing additional learning opportunities in the form of new business that requires exploratory learning. Without this, the reduction in improvement opportunities reduces the benefits that can be realised from PI.Originality/value -OL provides a multi-level perspective to understanding how smaller firms are able to undergo systematic improvements and the support required to continually improve.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research is needed to examine improvement practices in SMEs and how such practices relate to organisational level change (Chaston et al 2001), in particular to understand how SMEs can learn through PI (Amundson 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organisational learning in SMEs: a process improvement perspective

Matthews

MacCarthy

Braziotis

2017

IJOPM

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“…Closed-loop learning is akin to "single-loop learning" (Argyris and Schon, 1978), which applied to routine or "lower-level learning" (Chaston et al, 2001). It is like a thermostat that learns when it is too cold or too hot and turns the heat on or off (Argyris and Schon, 1978).…”

Section: Open-loop Learningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquidity management in small firms: a learning perspective

Ekanem

2010

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development

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Purpose -This paper aims to focus on liquidity management in small firms and how this may be best met. It seeks to present results from eight case study firms to demonstrate different types of learning in small firms. Design/methodology/approach -The paper uses a qualitative methodology that involves in-depth, semi-structured interviews and direct observation, conducted longitudinally in eight case study companies. Findings -The findings suggest that liquidity management is either based on owner-manager past experiences, experiences of others or is strongly influenced by industry norms, which are shared rules within the industry, and not based on the calculation of costs and benefits of particular causes of action.Research limitations/implications -The study is limited to the extent to which it can be generalised to a wider population of small firms. The main implication is that policy makers should facilitate networking opportunities where owner-managers can interact with external advisors. Originality/value -The originality and value of the paper is that it conceptualises liquidity management in small firms as a learning process utilising closed and open loop learning.

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“…As a consequence, some of them overcome the lack of knowledge by employing novel technologies, but the exact measure of how learning is undertaken through these technologies is largely unknown (Small & Irvine, 2006). In addition, various scholars have expressed concerns about insufficient validation due to lack of empirical research (Dawes et al, 2007; Vince et al, 2002) or the extensive focus on large enterprises, neglecting small and medium ones (Chaston et al, 2001). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of MSEs in ICT Domain from Bucharest – Ilfov County by Using Nonaka – Takeuchi Model

Popescu¹,

Alexandru²,

Ceptureanu³

et al. 2018

STUD INFORM CONTROL

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This paper investigates the extent to which Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption and orientations influence the knowledge creation processes encompassed in the Nonaka -Takeuchi model in Romanian mediumsized enterprises (MSEs) from ICT sector. We use econometric analysis in order to confirm hypothesis regarding correlation between Nonaka-Takeuchi model variables and organizational learning. The results, based on a sample of 73 Romanian medium-sized enterprises (MSEs) from Bucharest-Ilfov County, indicate that ICT has a significant positive influence on knowledge creation processes.

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Organisational learning style, competencies and learning systems in small, UK manufacturing firms

Cited by 76 publications

References 21 publications

Organisational learning in SMEs: a process improvement perspective

Organisational learning in SMEs: a process improvement perspective

Liquidity management in small firms: a learning perspective

Analysis of MSEs in ICT Domain from Bucharest – Ilfov County by Using Nonaka – Takeuchi Model

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