Structural Learning Barriers in Organizations

Abstract

A possible approach to analyzing organizations as learning communities goes through the identification of structural learning barriers. In this article, a distinction is drawn between factors on the group‐level and the organization‐level that are in particular assumed to inhibit learning through acquisition, exchange and application of competences. The group‐level factors included embrace relationships between colleagues, team‐embedded competences, group norms, group think, and the structure and composition of teams. Organization‐level factors discussed comprise job design and work system, reward system, organizational culture and organizational design.