O&E: Learning school

Question 1

The learning school goes through several phases, which represent distinct bodies of literature that are about the central themes of this school:

Answer 1

• disjointed incrementalism (Lindblom)
• Logic incrementalism (Quinn)
• Evolutionary theory (Nelson & Winter)
• Strategic venturing

Question 2

Premises of the learning school:

Answer 2

• strategy = ongoing learning (not fixed plan)
• Doing & thinking are intertwined
• Organizations learn (not leaders)
• Strategy = actions + reflection
• Leaders guide learning, not dictate plans
• past patterns -> future direction
• complex world needs adaptive learning
• Culture of sharing & trying new things

Question 3

Limitations of the learning school:

Answer 3

• No clear, fixed strategy
• Risk of wrong conclusions from false patterns
• too much learning focus can hurt lasting strategy
• Strategies may become outdated fast in change