Organizational Learning Assessment: The case of World Learning Ethiopia
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Date
2013-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
World Learning Ethiopia (WLE) is a country office of World learning an international NGO based in USA. WLE has been implementing development projects throughout Ethiopia since 1996 funded dominantly by USAID. Projects under development use and produce knowledge; and interaction between staff members cause organizational learning.
The overall objective of the study is to assess the nature of organizational learning in WLE and suggest appropriate organizational model that would fit the settings.
In assessing the organizational learning behavior of WLE, both quantitative and qualitative approaches are followed. A purposive sampling is used to select professional employees of WLE that are believed to have more impact in organizational learning. A questionnaire consisting of two parts was distributed using the organizations e-mail system and 91% of expected respondents filled the questionnaire and replied. For data analysis, SPSS 20 is used for organizational learning status analysis. A social network analysis approach is also applied with Gepih 0.8.2 to come up with more assessment results. Observation check list is employed to reflect on the study from researcher’s point of view.
As a result of data analysis and observation, it is found that employees of the organizations are highly motivated to share knowledge and the organization play a good role of sharing best practices. However, it is also found that the organization lacks flexibility and openness to new ideas and creativity. Interactions between employees are based on belongingness in a project or department without the involvement of Information Technology. Willingness to share knowledge among staff members is positive but there is no specialized system to facilitate learning.
It is concluded that employees are motivated and active in organizational learning. It is also concluded that the organization has not been providing specialized systems that facilitate organizational learning.
It is recommended that the organization take initiative the organization take initiative to put Knowledge Management mechanism in place that facilitates multilevel organizational learning. Further studies are also recommended to investigate more facts that facilitate organizational learning.
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Organizational Learning Assessment