The ‘How’ of Multilevel Learning Dynamics: A Systematic Literature Review Exploring How Mechanisms Bridge Learning Between Individuals, Teams/Projects and the Organization

Abstract

The organizational learning literature recognizes that learning is a multilevel phenomenon that occurs between the individual, team and organizational levels. Existing literature has begun to identify linking mechanisms between these levels, but the research explaining how these mechanisms operate remains scarce. There is a limited understanding of the learning paths and connections between the individual, team and organizational levels. Using a systematic literature review, this paper synthesizes the research on multilevel learning to: (1) classify primary and less researched mechanisms enabling multilevel learning, and (2) explain how and in what direction these mechanisms operate to link the levels. We then propose a framework to summarize our findings. We investigate this phenomenon in both organizational and project-based contexts due to the unique temporal and structural learning challenges of the latter. Future research directions are proposed for scholars who wish to further contribute to this important and growing field.