Learning Industries? LO19107

tom abeles (tabeles@tmn.com)
Mon, 07 Sep 1998 19:59:07 -0500

Replying to LO19101 --

Mike M. wrote, in a very small part:

> As mergers create new and larger organizations the concept of a lower
> group IQ than the average of the individual members may apply now to
> the multi-national business as well as entire industries...

>Are we on the verge of the Learning Industry or is it already here.

Actually, if one goes back and unravels Mike's comments, there are several
critical issues.

First, I would have to say that the learning organization has always been
here. The ones that don't learn don't survive. The question is whether
there are some new and more effecive ways to "learn". What we are seeking,
of course, is the philosopher's stone to create some corporate system
which will be smart enough to respond to any crisis which might confront
it externally or internally and one which has a crystal ball and can
anticipate what might be needed to continue to grow and succeed. It is the
carrot in front of the milk horse syndrome. In the corporate world, it is
a contiula quest outside of ourselves to find a path that avoids having to
look within ourselves

I see littel discussion here about a more contemplative approach rather
than a consant grasping at each clever pacakage which is being sold in the
OD bizaar.

Since this is "labor" day here in the United States, I thought I would
also indicate that I have seen absolutely nothing about the role of unions
in a learning organization. I also happen to be from Minnesota, the home
of Northwest Airlines which is shut down with its 6000 pilots on strike.
This brings the issue home.

What is the purpose of the "organization" which is supposed to be
learning. What is the role of the employees and what is the benefit of the
orgainzation. A learning organization for whom? stockholders, customers,
employees, suppliers? This all impacts on the LO

yet the LO on this list seems to be some neutered straw person. The LO
does not exist for itself and thus what the LO is depends on answers to
these questions which will not be the same for all LO's

the LO is not some abstract erector set which is value neutral like a
learning kit in some classroom.

thoughts?

tom abeles

-- 

tom abeles <tabeles@tmn.com>

Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>