From Questions to Answers: Reviewing Organizational Learning Research

TLDR

Prior reviews of organizational learning have highlighted exponential growth in the literature through the 1990s and concerns about a lack of empirical research. The paper reviews OL literature from 1990‑2002 to assess the state of empirical research. The authors review 123 OL articles from 1990‑2002, focusing on internal and external learning and their facilitators. The review finds a dramatic increase in empirical OL research and the rise of a learning perspective, and it outlines implications and future research directions.

Abstract

Prior reviews of organizational learning (OL) have noted an exponential growth in the literature through the 1990s and have expressed concerns about the lack of empirical research. In this paper, we review the literature published during the period 1990-2002 and take stock of the state of empirical research in OL. Based on the 123 articles reviewed, we note a phenomenal growth in empirical research and the emergence of a learning perspective. We discuss key research findings pertaining to internal and external learning, and the facilitators of organizational learning. We discuss the implications of the empirical research and suggest directions for future research.