Double loop learning in organizations

Abstract

Why are employees reluc- tant to report to the top that one of their com- pany's products is a "loser" and why can't the vice presidents of another company reveal to their president the spectacular lack of success of one of the company's divisions? The inability to uncover errors and other unpleasant truths arises from faulty organizational learning, says this author. Such habits and attitudes, which alJow a company to hide its problems, lead to rigidity and deteriora- tion. The author descrihes how this process can be reversed hy a method he calls double loop learning