Department of Information Science

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Browsing Department of Information Science by Author "Ally, Kutbuddin"

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    Individual and organisational learning and the ecology : factors that influence the direction of learning
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-12) Ally, Kutbuddin; Muller, H. P.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Organisations are required to change their internal structures and configuration at a rapid rate as the external environment changes. The external environment comprises of a number of actors and agents that make up society. This includes social movements and government. The influence that industry has over the actions of government is significant. The question is how society, via social movements and NGO’s, influence government and thereby policy and how this leads to change in business organisations. How does learning take place in business organisations when it comes to ecological matters? What is the effect of social norms, expressed in public policy and social movements, on organisations? How can these processes be enhanced for the sake of the ecological agenda? The aim of the research is to present a case for directing the learning process. Organisations will generally develop new products based on existing knowledge and grow this knowledge base. It is argued by some theorists that social movements and NGO’s influence the process of innovation and development. To cater for the ecological elements in an innovation process, it must be part of the organisational objectives. It means that it must be catered for from the outset to direct and influence the process. Chapter 1 outlines the problem statement and the argument that social norms influence the learning process of individuals and groups in organisation to achieve an ecologically friendly outcome in a variety of ways. To determine if the hypothesis is true, Chapter 2 researched the subject of organisational learning. It examines the attributes that organisations must have to promote a learning agenda. This includes the role that the external organisational environment plays through feedback loops, and how these influence the direction of the learning process. To understand issues regarding the ecology, I present in Chapter 3 a high level synopsis based on existing knowledge of economics, environmental economics and ecological modernisation. Both Chapters 2 and 3 take a view on policy and the role it plays in shaping the learning process. It is important that the process of policy development is influenced from the outset. Through the networks of the social movements, alternatives may be presented to society. These alternatives are aimed at influencing the innovation process of organisations either directly through the market or indirectly through policy. When society subscribes to the position presented, a social movement gives them the means to engage with industry and government. Chapter 4 is a case study on carbon capture and storage. The purpose of the case study is to demonstrate the interaction of the various actors in a technology development process and the factors that have to be taken into account when making decisions. It is a demonstration of a directed learning process with the aim of developing an ecologically friendly technology. Chapter 5 is the concluding chapter and provides a summary of learning organisations and ecological modernisation. I provide a brief summary of the main points in the argument and draw a conclusion on the relationship between organisational learning and how this learning is directed from the outset.