Preliminary Findings: Information Technology in a Learning Organization - Case Study and Causal Diagrammi
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN A LEARNING ORGANIZATION - Case Study and Causal Diagramming Warren W. Tignor 1. Introduction This study addresses the role information technology plays in a learning organization. In general, a learning organization takes advantage of current and past knowledge to further the goals of the business. Information technology permeates business organizations today as the trend to automate continues to accelerate daily. In many instances, information technology helps businesses do things quicker, better and cheaper; in most cases this results in better profitability. Case study represents a vast source of past business knowledge available to learn from to influence future decisions. Causal diagrams will help the business analyst identify the major influencing factors of the case and the feedback mechanism that impacts the case results. This study presents the hypothesis that the collaborative effect of case study and information technology using causal diagramming in a learning organization will improve the potential of businesses to adapt to new competitive situations. 2. Review of Literature This study surveys the current literature regarding learning organizations and information technology 's role with a particular emphasis on case study and causal diagrams defined as System Dynamics information technology. 2.1 LEARNING ORGANIZATIONS According to Dixon (1993) the reason that most organizations are inefficient learners is their lack of systematic processes to facilitate learning. The literature review that follows is organized around the derived distinguishing characteristics based on the following clustered attributes of learning organizations: 1.0 “Total Systems Perspective” 1.1 Inquire into systemic consequences (Koffman & Senge, 1995) 1.2 Acknowledge primacy of whole v. pieces (Koffman & Senge, 1995) 1.3 Facilitate systems perspective (systemic relationships) (Nevis, et al., 1995) 1.4 Systems thinking (exam whole vs.
Bibliography: Argyris, C & Schön, D.A. (1978) . Organizational learning: A theory of action perspective. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. Cash, J, McFarlan, F., McKenney, J., Applegate, L. (1992) . Corporate information systems management: text and cases. Illinois: Irwin. Dixon, N. (1993) . Organizational learning. Ottawa: Conference Board of Canada Report 111-93. Dodgson, M. (1993) . Organizational learning: A review of some literature. Organization Studies, 14/3, 375-394. Fiol, C.M., & Lyles, M.A. (1985) . Organizational learning. Academy of Management Review, 10/4, 803813. Forrester, J. W. (1992) . System dynamics and learner-centered-learning in kindergarten through 12th grade education (D-#4337), Systems Dynamics Group, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, (pp.1-20). Forrester, J. W. (1991) . Systems dynamics and the lessons of 35 years. In Kenyon B. De Greene (Ed.), Systemic basis of policy making in the 1990s (pp. 5-34). [http://tfnet.ils.unc.edu/~gotwals/stella/sdg/sdlessons.txt]. Hahn, P. (1996) . Introduction to the case study method, [http://128.146.140.187/ae601/hahnpam.html]. Huber, G. P. (1991) . Organizational learning: The contributing processes and the literature. Organization Science, 2/1, 88-115. Huff, S. L., Tawfik, J., Cash, J., & Pifko, J. (1996) . Teaching information systems management with cases, 1-6, [http://www.business.uwo.ca/~isworld/article.html]. Kofman, F., & Senge, P. (1995) . Communities of commitment: The heart of the learning organization. In Sarita Chawla & John Renesch (Eds.), Learning Organizations (pp. 15-43). Productivity Press: Portland, OR. Nevis,.C., DiBella, J, & Gould, M. (1995) . Understanding organizations as learning systems. Sloan Management Review, Winter, 73-85. Senge, P. M. (1990) . The fifth discipline: the art & practice of the learning organization. New York: Doubleday/Currency. Sprague, H. & McNurlin, C. (1993) . Information systems management in practice. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Wolstenholme, E. F. (1990) . System enquiry: A system dynamic approach. Chicester: Wiley & Sons.