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Shared Knowledge and Understandings in Organizations: Its Development and Impact in Organizational Learning Processes

Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany, schulzkp{at}wirtschaft.tu-chemnitz.de

This article considers the meaning of background assumptions in the process of learning and development in organizations, and builds on actor and activity theoretical views. Learning is assumed as collective development in social systems as stated in Engeström's theory of expansive learning. The question is answered as to how background assumptions change and develop in the expansive learning cycle. Therefore, Engeström's model is fused with the concepts `theory in use' by Argyris and Schön, and `local theory' by Baitsch. The inter-relation between the change in background assumptions and expansive learning is discussed in a case study from the pharmaceutical industry. The case study describes a process simulation designed for staff training in the production area. Results are based on a qualitative empirical survey of process simulation and its effect on daily work.

Key Words: expansive learning • fusion of theories • local theory • process simulation • theories in use

Management Learning, Vol. 39, No. 4, 457-473 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1350507608093714


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