This article explores two questions. First, can literature be a useful material for the teacher of management? Second, how might this material be used? The article acknowledges the many difficulties for the teacher in using literature but also suggests that literature, if used with attention to...

This paper outlines research currently being carried out at the Nottingham Trent University, in collaboration with a recently privatised utility. The aim of the research is to synthesise a learning process model from relevant learning theory, and from this, to derive a practical model, which can...

It has become generally accepted that “people and not capital add the competitive edge” ( The Sunday Times , 17 November 1996). This belief is often put into practice through the use of frameworks of organisational learning and the concept of the learning organisation. These are invariably...

Reminds us that different organizations seek to deal with environmental pressures in different ways; some are proactive, others rely largely on reaction. Paradoxically, reactive crisis fighters typically thrive on the challenge of short‐term problems. Effective organisations, however, need...

Considers how to create a learning environment and the implications for learning organizations. Draws on an Internet conference with managers from airport owner and operator BAA plc to debate four themes: modelling the learning process in organizations; organizational readiness; teamworking and...

The learning organisation is a concept and, as with any complex concept, embodies sets of values, goals and beliefs. As consensus grows about these values, goals and beliefs, the probability increases that the concept will be translated from representational status to action and behavioural...

Describes an example of a successful learning programme focused on customer satisfaction. Reports on a programme for experienced staff in the European Patent Office called ChOral (CHairing ORAL proceedings). The stages of the programme included sponsoring by a top manager to overcome initial...

The United Nations Staff College Project (UNSCP), conceived in 1996 as a project with an initial life‐span of five years, has been entrusted by the United Nations to the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin. The college aims at promoting and developing a series of new and...

The paper explores the role of construction industry “partnering” ‐ the development of closer collaborative links between firms ‐ in stimulating organisational learning. Drawing on case studies of partnering relationships involving large clients (British Petroleum, NatWest Bank,...

This paper describes the research directed at the study of the role of the emotional climate in learning organisations. It becomes increasingly obvious that an emotional climate pervades every level of human interaction inside organisations. Emotionality and rationality coexist in organisational...