Seeking the Robust Core of Organizational Learning Theory

Steven E. Wallis, Ph.D. Author, Editor, Consultant &

Metatheorist swallis@sbcglobal.net

Fielding Graduate University

Winter Session

January 6-10, 2009 Santa Barbara, California

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Steven E. Wallis, Ph.D.A brief bio…

Steven E. Wallis received his Ph.D. from Fielding Graduate University in 2006. His academic work focuses on “theory of theory” where he is pioneering insights and tools to support scholars as they create improved theory for more effective practice.

Currently Steve is editing an academic book, “Cybernetics and Systems Theory in Management: Tools, Views and Advancements “ with IGI Global.

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Abstract:The underlying theory has not been well defined for organizational learning theory (OLT)Insights from complexity theory (CT) suggest a new view on the structure of theory An interdisciplinary cross-section of OL theory is analyzed to determine an overall level of “robustness” (objective internal integrity) This investigation found SE theory to have a robustness of 0.16 (on a scale of zero to one)

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OLT is not well defined so we ask…

How might we define theory more clearly?

How might we test theory – before practice?

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What is “theory” ?Conceptually similar to schema, mental models, frame for sensemaking, or lens to see the world

A set of interrelated propositions

Begs the question… … How well interrelated are they?

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Applying CT to Understand a System of Thought

Complexity theory suggests the importance of Mutual Causality & InterdependenceBecause a theory may be understood as a system, it may be possible to apply that general idea to the propositions within a theorySo… more interdependence of aspects suggests more validity of theory

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More Co-causality Between Aspects Makes a

Theory More RobustLow robustness is seen in a list of bullet-point claims (A is true)Slightly more robustness may be seen in causal propositions (A causes B)High robustness is seen in Newton’s formula: F=ma (each is co-causal)

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…IMPORTANTLY…

Highly robust theories of math & physics have shown more effective falsifiability & application than the low-robust theories of the social sciences

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Methodology1. Investigate papers on organizational

learning to find concise propositions of theory

2. Identify those propositions that are co-causal or “concatenated” (concatenated propositions describe links between multiple aspects and multiple causalities)

3. Calculate robustness Robustness is the ratio of concatenated aspects to all aspects in the body of theory.

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Abstractly… is the proposition concatenated,

or not?A is true, B is true, C is true.These are atomistic truth-claims (not

concatenated)

A causes B, B causes C, C causes D.These are linear truth-claims (not concatenated)(Worse, B and C are redundant!)

“A and B cause C”This is a “concatenated” relationship and so is more complex and is considered more useful to this form of analysis

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Test of Robustness-Example

Ohm’s law of electricity (I=E/R) contains three claims:

1. Changes in amps and resistance cause changes in volts2. Changes in volts and resistance cause changes in amps3. Changes in amps and volts cause changes in resistance

There are three aspects (amps, volts, resistance) and all three are concatenatedThree divided by three equals oneSo, Ohm’s law has a robustness of oneIt is falsifiable and effective in application

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Organizational Learning Theory

There are 19 aspects (identified as dimensions in the following diagram)Of these, three aspects are concatenated (Exploration, Exploitation , and Firm success) because they emerge from two or more other dimensionsThis theory has a robustness of 0.16 (the result of three concatenated aspects divided by 19 total aspects).

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Influences between aspects of Organizational Learning Theory

More firm success

More exploration (acquisition of new knowledge)

More exploitation (use of existing knowledge)

Longer life of firm

More shared beliefs

More connectedness

More socialization

More formalization

More distribution of knowledge

More involvement with other firms

More cross-functional affiliations

More diverse affiliation

More job rotation

More industry instabilityMore strategic

instability

More capital investment

More new firms created

More knowledge

Greater knowledge imbalance

Causes Less

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Paths to Improve Robustness

(and so improve falsifiability & usefulness)

Drop extraneous aspects

“Close the loop” by identifying how existing aspects are causally related

Empirical testing is not indicated at this low level of robustness

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Importance of creating Robust Version of

Organizational Learning Theory

1. More reliable/effectively useable 2. May be used to improve human

condition3. More falsifiable (and so

improvable)

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To Conclude…Organizational Learning theory suggests great potential benefits for individuals and organizations.The concept of robustness suggests great potential for advancing Organizational Learning theoryOLT has a low robustness (0.16) suggesting it is not effective in practiceLet’s collaborate to improve OLT!