The Role of Organizational Learning in World Class Manufacturing Imlementatation: A Case Study

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Date

2004

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University of the Western Cape

Abstract

Learning is considered the basis for competitive advantage in the knowledge economy. It is said to improve company performance and therefore there has been proliferous research and interest around Organizational Learning. World Class Manufacturing is a leading production paradigm that incorporates Continuous Improvement as a key element. Continuous Improvement tools and practices incorporate learning processes. The potential overlap between Organizational Learning and World Class Manufacturing is the area of research in this dissertation. The research question is to ascertain the role that Organizational Learning fulfils within World Class Manufacturing implementation. This dissertation aims to contribute to the understanding of the successful implementation of World Class Manufacturing. It seeks to tease out a role for Organizational Learning within Continuous Improvement activities and aims to contribute to the debate of World Class Manufacturing implementation. The conceptualization of World Class Manufacturing as a continuum rather than a fixed state is an important consideration since Continuous Improvement implies that there are always better and more effective ways of working. The theoretical discussion embeds Organizational Learning within the Continuous Improvement framework as a key element within the philosophy of WCM as well as representing particular techniques and practices that are congruent to Organizational Learning processes.

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Keywords

Organizational learning, World Class Manufacturing, Competitive resources, Learning

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