Title: Project-based companies as learning organisations: systems theory perspective

Authors: Kaj U. Koskinen

Addresses: Industrial Management and Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Pori Pohjoisranta 11, P.O. Box 300, FI 28101 Pori, Finland

Abstract: The determination of viable approaches with which to help project-based companies ensure that learning takes place continuously is a very important issue. In this paper, we suggest that the systemic view provides an approach through which we may advance our understanding of the dynamics of project-based companies| learning, including both individual and social learning. This conceptual paper provides a description of a project-based company as a learning organisation using the systemic view. The discussion starts with an illustration of the concept of a project-based company. The essential components of the systemic view are then described. Following that, the concepts of learning organisations and of organisational learning are highlighted. Finally, the project-based company as a learning organisation is described. We conclude that project-based companies need to start looking at learning issues as systemic problems, rather than as problems that are solved from the standpoint of the individual, and therefore, to seek systems-integrated solutions. This means, for example, that project-based companies need to understand that they function as, and within, living, ongoing processes that require inputs, outputs, and feedback.

Keywords: project-based companies; learning organisations; systemic views; systems theories; social learning; individual learning; organisational learning; learning issues; systemic problems; systems-integrated solutions; ongoing processes; inputs; outputs; feedback; project organisation; project management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPOM.2011.038866

International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 2011 Vol.3 No.1, pp.91 - 106

Published online: 14 Jan 2015 *

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