The Influence Of Organizational Learning On Performance: A Comprehensive Approach

Abstract

The purpose of the research project is to develop a model of the linkages between human resource management, organizational learning and organizational performance to test the assumptions and to analyze the correlations in order to substantiate or falsify the original model and to draw respective conclusions for relevant stakeholders in business enterprises as well as to give suggestions for further research in the field. Main theoretical approaches to the impact of organizational learning and human resource management on organizational performance, main approaches to the measurement of organizational performance, the derivation of the definitions of the central theoretical concepts, namely organizational learning, human resource management, organizational performance, and business enterprise, tailor-made for the use in the current study, and open questions in existing literature as starting point for the research are shown. The research hypotheses that organizational learning positively influences organizational performance et vice versa, that human resource management positively influences organizational learning, and that human resource management positively influences organizational performance directly are developed and the research model is conceptualized, operationalized, and visualized via the resulting theoretical scheme. Also, the development of the research methodology, design, and the selection of research methods is being undertaken, and the data gathering process via pre-study and electronic survey about the interdependencies between the theoretical constructs involved in the research hypotheses are described. The data analysis on the electronic survey about the items influencing the interdependencies between theoretical constructs of human resource management, organizational learning, and organizational performance takes place starting with a factor analysis and based on it the research scheme is being adapted into an evidence-based research model which is analyzed via different descriptive statistical methods, i.e. hierarchical and multiple regression analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling. Main conclusions include that: organizational performance cannot be seen as a holistic concept incorporating the end results of all the organization’s work processes and activities directed at lasting competitive advantage, but has to be divided into two separated concepts. The second part of the main hypothesis that organizational learning positively influences organizational performance in terms of non-financial variables regarding general competitiveness and human resource performance also can be substantiated.  Human resource managers can use the findings as reference for future strategic orientation of organizations as well as derive specific implementation measures from it.