Organizational learning system in a public company: model validation of the relationship between stocks and flows of learning with business performance

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8077.2025.e101057

Keywords:

Organizational learning, Strategic Learning Assessment Map (SLAM), Framework 4I, Stocks and flows of learning, Business performance

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the organizational learning system, identifying the relationship between stocks and flows of learning with business performance, in the perception of employees of a public company.

Methodology: Bontis et al. (2002) model was replicated, and an alternative model with the insertion of feedforward and feedback flows was tested. The SLAM questionnaire was applied to a sample of 858 employees of a public company in the agricultural sector, here called AGRO. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and multivariate statistics – structural equation modeling.

Results: The results revealed the reliability of the scale constructs and factors, validating it for the sample. The two models showed explanatory power for the relationship between the stocks and flows of learning with the business performance.

Originality/relevance: This research strengthens knowledge in quantitative research to measure organizational learning, specifically in the context of public service, in a developing country.

Theoretical, managerial and social contributions: The study validated the models and the SLAM questionnaire to evaluate the organizational learning system in the public company. It enabled the mapping or the diagnosis of organizational learning system, with practical implications for strategic action in different areas of the company. In this sense, it can strengthen the company’s adaptation, strategic renewal and sustainability. For the society, it can provide the benefits of greater efficiency and effectiveness in public service, continuous quality and innovation in meeting citizens' needs.

Author Biographies

Vera L. Cançado, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Graduated in Psychology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (1980), Master (1992) and PhD in Administration from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (1999) and Senior Visiting Professor Abroad at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. I was a professor in the Undergraduate and PDMA courses at Universidade Fumec from 2020 to 2024. I was a professor of the Master's in Administration at Fundação Pedro Leopoldo from 2000 to 2019, and a collaborating professor in several postgraduate courses. I am a reviewer at conferences and in several national and international journals. I have articles published in conference proceedings and national and international journals. I am an organizational consultant, working on Organizational Transformation projects in large companies. I have teaching, professional and consultancy experience in the area of ​​Administration, with an emphasis on Organization and People Management and Organizational Change.

Alinne Freitas Frade Drumond, Universidade Fundação Mineira de Educação e Cultura

Master's degree in Administration from FUMEC University (2024). Graduated in Social Communication, with a specialization in Public Relations, from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (2001); and specialization in Strategic Marketing Management from the Institute of Continuing Education - IEC PUC Minas. Interested in the areas of Organizational Management, People Management, Organizational Culture, Organizational Learning, Knowledge Management and Innovation. Currently, she is the State Technical Coordinator of Corporate Education, in the Human Resources Department of a public company.

References

Albuquerque, A. da R. P., & Teixeira, R. M. (2016). O processo de identificação e exploração de oportunidade empreendedora com base no modelo de aprendizagem organizacional 4i. Revista de Ciências Da Administração, 25–38. https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8077.2016v18n44p25

Alerasoul, S. A., Afeltra, G., Hakala, H., Minelli, E., & Strozzi, F. (2022). Organisational learning, learning organisation, and learning orientation: An integrative review and framework. Human Resource Management Review, 32(3), 100854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2021.100854

AlSaied, M. K., & Alkhoraif, A. A. (2024). The role of organizational learning and innovative organizational culture for ambidextrous innovation. The Learning Organization, 31(2), 205–226. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-06-2023-0101

Anand, A., & Brix, J. (2022). The learning organization and organizational learning in the public sector: A review and research agenda. The Learning Organization, 29(2), 129–156. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-05-2021-0061

Argote, L., & Hora, M. (2017). Organizational learning and management of technology. Production and Operations Management, 26(4), 579-590. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.12667

Argote, L., & Miron-Spektor, E. (2011). Organizational learning: From experience to knowledge. Organization Science, 22(5), 1123-1137. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1100.0621

Argote, L., Lee, S., & Park, J. (2021). Organizational learning processes and outcomes: Major findings and future research directions. Management Science, 67(9), 5399-5429. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2020.3693

Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1978). Organizational learning: A theory of action perspective (M. A.-Wesley. Reading, Ed.).

Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1996). Organizational learning II: Theory, method, and practice (M. A.-W. Reading, Ed.; 2nd ed.).

Balasubramanian, N., Ye, Y., & Xu, M. (2022). Substituting human decision-making with machine learning: Implications for organizational learning. Academy of Management Review, 47(3), 448-465. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2019.0470

Basten, D., & Haamann, T. (2018). Approaches for organizational learning: A literature review. SAGE Open, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244018794224

Berson, Y., Da’as, R., & Waldman, D. A. (2015). How do leaders and their teams bring about organizational learning and outcomes? Personnel Psychology, 68(1), 79–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12071

Bianchi, G., Testa, F., Boiral, O., & Iraldo, F. (2022). Organizational learning for environmental sustainability: Internalizing lifecycle management. Organization & Environment, 35(1), 103-129. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026621998744

Bido, D. S., Godoy, A. S., Quiroga, G. M., Amaral, D., Yoshida, E. C., & Riquetti, A. (2010). Relação entre a aprendizagem organizacional e o desempenho organizacional: Uma abordagem baseada no conceito de estoques e fluxos de aprendizagem. XXXIV Encontro da Associação Nacional dos Programas de Pós-Graduação em Administração, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Bontis, N. (1998). Intellectual capital: An exploratory study that develops measures and models. Management Decision, 36(2), 63-76. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251749810204142

Bontis, N. (1999). Managing an organizational learning system by aligning stocks and flows of knowledge: An empirical examination of intellectual capital, knowledge management, and business performance (86).

Bontis, N., Crossan, M. M., & Hulland, J. (2002). Managing an organizational learning system by aligning stocks and flows. Journal of Management Studies, 39(4), 437–469. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6486.t01-1-00299

Borman, W. C., & Motowidlo, S. J. (1993). Expanding the criterion domain to include elements of contextual performance. In W. Schmitt & W. Borman (Eds.), Personal selection in organizations (pp. 71–98). Jossey-Bass.

Brown, J. S., & Duguid, P. (1991). Organizational learning and communities-of-practice: Toward a unified view of working, learning, and innovation. Organization Science, 2(1), 40-57. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2.1.40

Campbell, J. P., Gasser, M. B., & Oswald, F. L. (1996). The substantive nature of performance variability. In K. R. Murphy (Ed.), Individual differences in behavior in organizations (pp. 258–299). Jossey- Bass.

Cangelosi, V. E., & Dill, W. R. (1965). Organizational learning: observations toward a theory. Administrative Science Quarterly, 10(2), 175. https://doi.org/10.2307/2391412

Carpini, J. A., Parker, S. K., & Griffin, M. A. (2017). A look back and a leap forward: A review and synthesis of the individual work performance literature. Academy of Management Annals, 11(2), 825–885. https://doi.org/10.5465/annals.2015.0151

Castaneda, D. I., Manrique, L. F., & Cuellar, S. (2018). Is organizational learning being absorbed by knowledge management? A systematic review. Journal of Knowledge Management, 22(2), 299-325. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-01-2017-0041

Chan, D. W. M., Sarvari, H., Golestanizadeh, M., & Saka, A. (2024). Evaluating the impact of organizational learning on organizational performance through organizational innovation as a mediating variable: Evidence from Iranian construction companies. International Journal of Construction Management, 24(9), 921–934. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2023.2239486

Chiva, R., & Alegre, J. (2005). Organizational learning and organizational knowledge. Management Learning, 36(1), 49-68. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507605049906

Chiva, R., Alegre, J., & Lapiedra, R. (2007). Measuring organisational learning capability among the workforce. International Journal of Manpower, 28(3/4), 224-242. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437720710755227

Choi, I. (2020). Moving beyond mandates: Organizational learning culture, empowerment, and performance. International Journal of Public Administration, 43(8), 724-735.

Collis, J., & Hussey, R. (2021). Business research: A practical guide for students (5th ed.). Red Globe Press.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage publications.

Crossan, M. M., Lane, H. W., & White, R. E. (1999). An organizational learning framework: From intuition to institution. Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 522-537. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1999.2202135

Crossan, M. M., Maurer, C. C., & White, R. E. (2011). Reflections on the 2009 AMR Decade Award: Do we have a theory of organizational learning? Academy of Management Review, 36(3), 446-460. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2010.0544

Cuffa, D., & Steil, A. V. (2019). Organizational learning in public organizations: An integrative review. Navus - Revista de Gestão e Tecnologia, 9(3), 112–123. https://doi.org/10.22279/navus.2019.v9n3.p112-123.875

Dicle, Ü., & Köse, C. (2014). The impact of organizational learning on corporate sustainability and strategy formulation with the moderating effect of industry type. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 958–967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.108

Elkjaer, B. (2022). Taking stock of “Organizational Learning”: Looking back and moving forward. Management Learning, 53(3), 582-604. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505076211049599

Feng, T. T., Zhang, X., Tan, L. L., & Liu, H. P. (2021). Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the strategic learning assessment map for Chinese nursing organisation: A cross-sectional study. Nurse Education in Practice, 56, 103185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103185

Fiol, C. M., & Lyles, M. A. (1985). Organizational learning. The Academy of Management Review, 10(4), 803-813. https://doi.org/10.2307/258048

Garza Burgos, R., Johnson, J. P., & Loughry, M. L. L. (2022). Does organizational learning differ in manufacturing and service firms? Evidence from Mexico. Journal of Knowledge Management, 26(7), 1649–1675. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-04-2021-0301

Hael, M., Belhaj, F. A., & Zhang, H. (2024). Organizational learning and innovation: A bibliometric analysis and future research agenda. Heliyon, 10(11), e31812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31812

Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2014). Multivariate Data Analysis (Seventh Edition). Pearson Education Limited.

Hamblin, R., Plimmer, G., Badar, K., & Lasthuizen, K. (2024). Organizational ambidexterity: A bibliometric review and framework for future public administration research. Public Performance & Management Review, 47(5), 1073–1109. https://doi.org/10.1080/15309576.2024.2373178

Hansen, G. S., & Wernerfelt, B. (1989). Determinants of firm performance: The relative importance of economic and organizational factors. Strategic Management Journal, 10(5), 399-411. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250100502

Hariharan, K., & Anand, V. (2023). Transformational leadership and learning flows. The Learning Organization, 30(3), 309–325. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-09-2021-0115

Hermelingmeier, V., & Wirth, T. (2021). The nexus of business sustainability and organizational learning: A systematic literature review to identify key learning principles for business transformation. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(4), 1839-1851. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2719

Hosseini, S. H., Hajipour, E., Kaffashpoor, A., & Darikandeh, A. (2020). The mediating effect of organizational culture in the relationship of leadership style with organizational learning. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 30(3), 279–288. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2019.1680473

Inthavong, P., Rehman, K. U., Masood, K., Shaukat, Z., Hnydiuk-Stefan, A., & Ray, S. (2023). Impact of organizational learning on sustainable firm performance: Intervening effect of organizational networking and innovation. Heliyon, 9(5), e16177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16177

Jarque, C. M., & Bera, A. K. (1987). A test for normality of observations and regression residuals. International Statistical Review / Revue Internationale de Statistique, 55(2), 163-172. https://doi.org/10.2307/1403192

Jarvie, W., & Stewart, J. (2018). Conceptualizing learning in the public sector: The importance of context. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 31(1), 14–30. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-08-2016-0137

Jyothibabu, C., Farooq, A., & Bhusan Pradhan, B. (2010). An integrated scale for measuring an organizational learning system. The Learning Organization, 17(4), 303–327. https://doi.org/10.1108/09696471011043081

Kell, H. J., & Motowidlo, S. J. (2012). Deconstructing organizational commitment: Associations among its affective and cognitive components, personality antecedents, and behavioral outcomes. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 42(1), 213-251. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2011.00874.x

Khoshfetrat, R., Sarvari, H., Chan, D. W. M., & Rakhshanifar, M. (2022). Critical risk factors for implementing building information modelling (BIM): a Delphi-based survey. International Journal of Construction Management, 22(12), 2375–2384. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2020.1788759

Kim, D. H. (1993). The link between individual and organizational learning. Sloan Management Review, 35, 37-50.

Lenart-Gansiniec, R., & Sułkowski, Ł. (2020). Organizational learning and value creation in local governance: the mediating role of crowdsourcing. The Learning Organization, 27(4), 321-335. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-12-2018-0213

Levitt, B., & March, J. G. (1988). Organizational learning. Annual Review of Sociology, 14, 319-340.

Looks, H., Fangmann, J., Thomaschewski, J., Escalona, M.-J., & Schön, E.-M. (2024). Towards improving agility in public administration. Software Quality Journal, 32(1), 283–311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11219-023-09657-x

Mainert, J., Niepel, C., Lans, T., & Greiff, S. (2018). How employees perceive organizational learning: construct validation of the 25-item short form of the strategic learning assessment map (SF-SLAM). Journal of Knowledge Management, 22(1), 57–75. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-11-2016-0494

Malhotra, N. K., & Birks, D. F. (2007). Marketing research: An applied approach (3rd ed.). Prentice Hall / Financial Times.

Manfredi Latilla, V., Frattini, F., Messeni Petruzzelli, A., & Berner, M. (2018). Knowledge management, knowledge transfer and organizational performance in the arts and crafts industry: A literature review. Journal of Knowledge Management, 22(6), 1310-1331. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-08-2017-0367

March, J. G. (1991). Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning. Organization Science, 2(1), 71-87. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2.1.71

Matitz, Q. R. S., & Bulgacov, S. (2011). O conceito desempenho em estudos organizacionais e estratégia: Um modelo de análise multidimensional (Issue 4). http://www.anpad.org.br/rac

McKenny, A. F., Short, J. C., Ketchen, D. J., Payne, G. T., & Moss, T. W. (2018). Strategic entrepreneurial orientation: Configurations, performance, and the effects of industry and time. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 12(4), 504–521. https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.1291

Neves, E. O., & Steil, A. V. (2019). Medidas da aprendizagem organizacional: Revisão de literatura e agenda de pesquisa. Organizações & Sociedade, 26(91), 708-728. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-9260915

Oh, S. Y. (2019). Effects of organizational learning on performance: The moderating roles of trust in leaders and organizational justice. Journal of Knowledge Management, 23(2), 313–331. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-02-2018-0087

Olejarski, A. M., Potter, M., & Morrison, R. L. (2019). Organizational learning in the public sector: Culture, politics, and performance. Public Integrity, 21(1), 69-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/10999922.2018.1445411

Patwary, A. K., Alwi, M. K., Rehman, S. U., Rabiul, M. K., Babatunde, A. Y., & Alam, M. M. D. (2024). Knowledge management practices on innovation performance in the hotel industry: mediated by organizational learning and organizational creativity. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 73(4/5), 662-681. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-05-2022-0104

Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J.-Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879-903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879

Popova-Nowak, I. V., & Cseh, M. (2015). The meaning of organizational learning. Human Resource Development Review, 14(3), 299-331. https://doi.org/10.1177 /1534484315596856

Ramadam, A. O., Estivalete, V. de F. B., Stecca, J. P., & Cogo, T. C. G. (2024). Suporte e aprendizagem organizacional: Análise à luz do contexto cooperativo. Revista de Ciências Da Administração, 26(66), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8077.2024.e89812

Real, J. C., Leal, A., & Roldán, J. L. (2006). Information technology as a determinant of organizational learning and technological distinctive competencies. Industrial Marketing Management, 35(4), 505–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2005.05.004

Real, J. C., Roldán, J. L., & Leal, A. (2014). From entrepreneurial orientation and learning orientation to business performance: Analysing the mediating role of organizational learning and the moderating effects of organizational size. British Journal of Management, 25(2), 186–208. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2012.00848.x

Rodrigues, P. G., Carvalho, R. B. de, & Bernardes, M. E. B. (2019). Aprendizagem organizacional derivada da revisão e implementação estratégica em uma organização do Sistema S. XLIII Encontro da Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração – EnANPAD, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Rodríguez-Sánchez, A., Guinot, J., Chiva, R., & López-Cabrales, Á. (2021). How to emerge stronger: Antecedents and consequences of organizational resilience. Journal of Management & Organization, 27(3), 442-459. https://doi.org/10.1017/ jmo.2019.5

Tian, H., Dogbe, C. S. K., Pomegbe, W. W. K., Sarsah, S. A., & Otoo, C. O. A. (2021). Organizational learning ambidexterity and openness, as determinants of SMEs' innovation performance. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(2), 414-438. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-05-2019-0140

Valentin, S. M. F. A. de. (2010). Aprendizagem como estoques e fluxos de conhecimento em organizações que integram redes de informação e conhecimento científico em saúde [Dissertação]. Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie.

Venkatraman, N., & Ramanujam, V. (1987). Planning system success: A conceptualization and an operational model. Management Science, 33(6), 687-705.

Versiani, Â. F., & Fischer, A. L. (2008). A aprendizagem organizacional como um campo específico de conhecimento no cenário dos estudos organizacionais. Revista Economia & Gestão, 8(18), 10-31.

Wang, C., Zhang, M., & Ma, H. (2024). The more ambidexterity the better? The moderating effect of organizational learning between high-performance HR practices and organizational performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1283637

Wilson, L., Hawkins, M., French, M., Lowe, T., & Hesselgreaves, H. (2023). New development: Learning communities—an approach to dismantling barriers to collective improvement. Public Money & Management, 43(4), 374–377. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540962.2022.2116179

Wong, W.-T., & Huang, N. N.-T. (2011). The effects of e-learning system service quality and users’ acceptance on organizational learning. International Journal of Business and Information, 6(2), 205–225.

Yang, B., Watkins, K. E., & Marsick, V. J. (2004). The construct of the learning organization: Dimensions, measurement, and validation. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 15(1), 31-55. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.1086

Published

2025-10-07

How to Cite

Cançado, V. L., & Drumond, A. F. F. (2025). Organizational learning system in a public company: model validation of the relationship between stocks and flows of learning with business performance. Revista De Ciências Da Administração, 27(67), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8077.2025.e101057

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.