Opinion: Learning in the ‘Neural’ Organization

Abstract

This paper considers an approach to organizational learning as a result of research carried out by the author as part of a doctoral study in the field of career development and organizational politics. This study described the forms of communication that operate within organizations, the labels attached to those methods and the way in which they are used to further the careers of aspiring professionals. This led to the recognition of methods of communication described as ‘neural’ networks after the models being developed by advanced computer programmers into the operation of the mind. In trying to map the complexity of the brain they have developed theories that describe the information channels in advanced computer systems in the form of neural networks. Such terms can be applied to the actual communication channels used within organizations. This paper therefore starts with an overview of what is meant by the term and then develops the theme by considering the impact of such networks on the learning process.