Organizational Learning and Organizational Design

Approach This paper explores a new idea presenting the possible relationship between organizational learning and organizational design. The establishment of this relation is based upon extensive literature review. Findings Organizational learning theory has been used to understand several organizational phenomena, like resources and competencies, tacit knowledge or the role of memory in the organization; however, it is difficult to identify fits and consequent misfits between organizational learning and the organizational design. Research limitations This one is a theoretical paper, so there is a possible limitation, regarding the lack of empirical support. Practical implications At the end of the paper a number of recommendations regarding the organizational design are suggested, in order to promote organizational learning in the firms. Value of the paper This paper identifies some links between organizational learning and organizational design, providing the grounds for a subsequent development and empirically testing of those relations.