Building the Learning Organization: A Systems Approach to Quantum Improvement and Global Success

by Michael J. Marquardt

Building the Learning Organization is the first practical guide to transforming your organization into one that is set up to learn - even seeks out opportunities to learn - and then stands ready to quickly capitalize on that information. You'll be able to navigate your way through the process with the help of an easy-to-follow model that forms the heart of the book. You'll also find incisive and fascinating case historiesshowcasing the successful efforts of such companies as Arthur Andersen, Whirlpool, National Semiconductor, and Federal Express - that illustrate application of the model's tenets in various economic sectors. And, to further facilitate the transformation to a learning organization, the book presents 16 recommended action steps your company will want to consider taking. There is also discussion of what it takes to maintain a learning organization over time. There are evaluation forms to help you assess at what stage your company is currently at, what its strengths are, and where the needs are the greatest. There is even a helpful glossary of common terms.

Genres: Leadership

242 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jessica Buike · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a required reading in one of the courses I took while obtaining my Master's degree. While I liked that it wanted to cover best practices in some of the most successful companies in the world, I think that it just plain dragged along and was incredibly dry and boring. It could have easily been gleaned down to fewer pages, and have been reorganized to read a little more interestingly. While I agree that every organization should strive toward being a more flexible, learning-based organization, I don't necessarily recommend reading this book because it is so uninteresting.

[Andrei Gavrila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many things.

Long, attacking many things about many other things, this book feels like a never-ending journey.

I found it dry and lacking, especially in the how-to area. In a way, it is filled with how-to ideas, but as the book, they are quite dry.

There were also some good parts like:
* The first chapter is a great introduction to how change affects us and why it is the number one reason for a learning organization
* Each chapter has a great ending with the top 10 strategies from the chapter

I recommend reading chapter 1 and probably also 2 and then skipping to the end of each chapter.

[Dr. Chad Newton, PhD-HRD · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for organizational scholars, executives, HR personnel, theorists of andragogy, and systems thinkers! Dr. Marquardt wrote a brilliant text for integration of key aspects of adult learning with organizational objectives.

[Duong Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical book for implementor.
Good companion with Senge's Fifth Discipline.