Organisational learning practices in Non governmental organisations in Coast province of Kenya

Abstract

Learning is the ultimate sustainable competitive advantage for organizations because no one can undercut, duplicate or take it. Organizational learning explores ways to design organizations so that they fulfil their function effectively, encourage people to reach their full potential, and, at the same time, help the world to be a better place. Organisational learning is central to organisations ability to adapt to changes in its internal or external environment and remain competitive in times of uncertainty. The objectives of this study were to determine organization learning process(s) within NGOs in Coast province, Kenya; and to establish challenges in implementation of the learning organisation concept among the NGOs operating in Coast province, Kenya. This study adopted survey design targeting all 75 NGOs that had been operating in the Coast province of Kenya for a period not less than two years. The main type of data was discrete quantitative data. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire which was self administered as well as through email. Frequencies and percentages were used to establish the status of the proportion of the respondents’ agreement or disagreement with the learning attributes. Mean scores were also computed. The study established that most NGOs had adopted organizational learning practices albeit with varying degrees of successes and challenges. The organisations are very strong in accessing external learning, gathering internal experience, drawing conclusions and communications systems but relatively weak in integrating policy into strategy, developing organisational memory and applying the learning. The study therefore recommends that the organizations should ensure that their learning does not only influence the current members, but also future members by appropriately documenting the experiences, beliefs, and norms that are accumulated along the way to enable sharing with wider readership. It is not just enough to learn, the ultimate test lies in applying the learning to improve practice. Therefore organisations should actively create, capture, transfer, and mobilize knowledge of all its members and apply it to enable the organisation to adapt to the increasingly dynamic environment.