Title: Multilevel organisational learning mechanisms and their implications for organisational performance

Authors: Kambiz Navabi Zand; Azar Kaffashpoor; Shamsodin Nazemi; Gholamreza Malekzadeh

Addresses: Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ' Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ' Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ' Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract: The purpose of study was to explore and identify multilevel organisational learning mechanisms and examines their effect on organisational performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises within Tehran province. For identification mechanisms in these enterprises, the grounded theory three-stage method was used which the obtained results from different approaches were combined to develop the research model. Then, a questionnaire containing 55 query items was developed and distributed to a sample of 371 enterprises, using stratified random sampling. Based on the results, all mechanisms were identified that coded into four categories. At the interpretation stage, 20 mechanisms were identified and subsequently coded into discussions, systemic, and cultural mechanisms. For the integrative process, the identified nine mechanisms were grouped into systemic and strategic mechanisms. Lastly, the 16 mechanisms of the institutionalisation stage were grouped into systemic, structural and cultural mechanisms. Eventually, the results indicated a significant association between these mechanisms and organisational performance.

Keywords: organisational learning; OL; organisational performance; small- and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; Tehran Province; Iran.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2019.100751

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2019 Vol.18 No.3, pp.388 - 409

Received: 16 Jan 2018
Accepted: 20 Apr 2018
Published online: 17 Jul 2019 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article