Relationship between Learning Organization and Organizational Performance (Empirical Study of Pharmaceutical Firms in Jordan)

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between learning organization and organizational performance in the pharmaceutical industry in Jordan. A descriptive analytical methodology was used, and a sample of (400) employees was selected representing (5) pharmaceutical firms, which were selected on the basis of size, age and location. For the purpose of the study, six core dimensions of learning organization were identified: systems thinking, shared vision, teamwork and collaboration, leadership and empowerment, organizational culture, and learning environment. For organizational performance, four scales were identified: financial performance, customer service, internal processes and learning/ growth/ innovation. Research findings indicated a strong positive relationship between learning organization and performance and between each of the learning organization dimensions and each scale of organizational performance. The study provided a number of recommendations that would help management of pharmaceutical firms to maintain and even upgrade continual learning organizations, and consequently improve performance.