Learning Organizations

Essay by pierce_d35 April 2010

download word file, 5 pages 0.0

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Formal organizations have been steadily evolving over the past century. A significant change in the structure of formal organizations has transformed the traditional value system of organizations into a more modern organizational system. With the integration of modern flexible organizational structure formal organizations have become more profitable, employees earn higher wages and consumers reap the rewards of lower priced products. A learning organization systematically learns from its experience of what works and what does not work. The goal of learning is increased innovation, effectiveness, and performance. Learning organizations, provide continuous learning opportunities, use learning to reach their goals, link individual performance with organizational performance, foster's inquiry and dialogue, making it safe for people to share openly and take risks, embrace creative tension as a source of energy and renewal, and continuously aware of and interact with their environment. (Kerka 1995)

Avnet has come to realize that learning is strategic and that leaders play a vital role in the educational component of a business success.

Avnet has implemented structured learning objectives that have enabled the firm to become the leading distributor of high tech products like computer hardware, semiconductors and microwave components. Avnet places huge value in people. They place emphasis on developing an atmosphere that is very people friendly, from their employees to their suppliers and customers. They accomplish this by promoting engagement through employee education, and cultivating an environment that promotes excitement in their products. Avnet has two high level programs at their disposal to get their philosophy into action, they are: Global Organizational Leadership Development (GOLD) and Leadership Education Accelerating Development (LEAD). GOLD is a program that is designed for future leaders taught by current leaders. GOLD focuses on the day to day operations that bind corporate goals, board members, and senior leaders together to achieve...