Learning organization and transfer: strategies for improving performance

Purpose – This study aims to explore a relationship between the learning organization and transfer of training as strategies for learning and managing knowledge to make performance improvements and gain or maintain a competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach – Various similarities are identified in the literature that are indicative of a relationship between the learning organization and transfer of training such as: emphasis on both as strategies for a competitive advantage, focus on learning and knowledge, emphasis on taking action to improve performance, link between individual learning and organizational learning, and the focus of previous studies. This paper proposes a positive relationship suggesting that learning organizations are more likely to practice transfer of training. Findings – The importance placed on the learning organization and transfer of training as critical factors for improving performance and gaining a competitive advantage necessitate that both areas be further investigated. Any relationship between the learning organization and transfer of training could lead to performance improvements and maximize the benefits gained and enable organizations to remain competitive in the face of global competition, a constantly changing environment, and unstable economic conditions. Originality/value – This paper introduces an important stream of research relevant to a relationship between the learning organization and transfer of training as strategies for facilitating learning and knowledge management. Although numerous similarities are identified in the literature, no theoretical or empirical studies have been conducted.