Managing the Learning Organization - Report Example

Managing the Learning Organization: Project Report Institution Name Project Report Introduction Fundamental in this report, the writer extensively and intensively analyses the organization under case study to realize the extent of the organization orientation in terms of being a learning organization. Furthermore, the approaches undertaken by the organization in developing an effective learning environment are significantly considered in this endeavor. Finally, the barriers experienced in the process of implementing these strategies are analyzed and subsequent recommendation of solutions to overcome the barriers given. According to McHugh, Groves & Alker (1998) a learning organization establishes a transcendental relationship with its employees through facilitation of learning and development of the staff. The transcendental relationship is achieved when the organization is developed or transformed due to employee development. As such, this report advances to realize whether the selected organization has successfully ensured career development of employee. Consequently, find out if the organization continually endeavors to develop and transform their activities so as to be regarded as a growing and developing organization. On the other hand, the reporter has to offer a number of recommendations that may rectify the situation and take it to the level the level where it can be considered as a learning organisation. Overview of the Organisation Becker Helicopter Services (BHS), is a specialized flying school, deliver a helicopter in the air training to a acknowledged level by Civil Aviation and Safety Administration (CASA). Becker Helicopter Services is found in the in skirts of sunshine coast landing strip neighbourhood; it is allocated into two major parts, civilian school, and military school. The report shall incline on part of the study that concentrated more on the military school. The military school was coined from the understanding of the contract as delivered by the Institute. The school consists of a foreign military system of administration that extensively encompasses within the contract. The Becker Helicopter Services Institute prides in its ability to offer specified tactical flying training courses to all staff that is divided into a number of phases. The phases are basic phase, navigation phase, instrument phase, night phase, night vision devices phase, and advanced tactical phase, this course will be given to officers working for that foreign military organisation, to be qualified on selected aircraft as agreed upon (O’Keeffe 2002). From the time in memorial, the Military school establishment advanced to provide particular service to various clients. This makes it possible for expansion of a corporate organisation by making effort to target such kind of customers. As such, they require enhancing the quality of the product according to the strategic aviator that set up to the contemporary day is offered fundamentally by them of the entire nation. In an attempt to prevent other competitors from imitating their products they laid the tactical aviator (McHugh, Groves & Alker 1998). With time, the report described the manner in which excellence can be extensively observed. Becker Helicopter Services is committed to recruiting instructor co-pilots endowed with military proficiency from previous military exposure. BHS is committed to appointment instructor co-pilots with previous military knowledge and outstanding period of time, to be able to offer the level of quality they commit to provide to the foreign military organisation (client). The Learning Organisation Framework and Attributes Chosen for Study As indicated in the tactical studies of knowledge and Economy as indicated by numerous authors. As such, this puts out a model for studying qualities in various learning attributes in any institutional organisation. This paper makes extensive steps in covering the discussion of from the perspective of the framework and design of operation as well as empowering of employees (Dealtry 2000). Again, consideration of the orientation of the organisation to fit as a learning organisation will be fundamental with respect to the learning attributes: Learning Level Important Learning Qualities Indication of Qualities (Work Practice) Organization Core Competencies No Research &Design Not actually comprehend the significance of this key knowledge Absorptive Capacity Customer Survey Group Team Team Meeting are conducting weekly COP Mentoring Individuals Experimental Learning Decision Making Individual Reflection Teachers report learners per diem after each flight Level of the Organisation The organisational level the report shall cover fundamental proficiencies and absorptive ability of Becker Helicopter Services, to cater for the study objective. The project report will therefore encompasses core capabilities to realise the most important competencies that Becker Helicopter Services relies on. Indispensable Proficiencies At this organisational level, the report advances to explore the fundamental competencies in Becker Helicopter Services. According to Cross and Israelite (2000, p. 120) any company or organisational institution should be bestowed with the capacity to survive, grow and develop with respect to collective learning for core competencies. Cross and Israelite (2000) suggests that a fundamental competency is the constituent required for an organisation to survive that ‘hypothetically’ implicates on matters of progress or fall of the organisation. The ultimate product of BHS is a pilot officer. However, what makes this product exemplary or of significant competency is that no other flight school or academy within Australia is bestowed with the ability to tutor the military flying course based on the United States military standard or doctrine. Apart from the Australian armed forces schools, that Australian armed forces schools lack the attention to offer this type of training to other than their military staff that give the organisation an opportunity to become a sole provider. Again, Prahalad & Hamel illustrates the essential competencies the moment they mentioned the three tests that have to be applied to identify fundamental competencies in any organisation. O’Keeffe (2002) indicates that a core competency has a difficult for competitors to imitate. As such, their core competence is not imitated yet. This does not qualify the impossibility of imitation, but reveals the number of customers limited, and at any time, the demand for this manner of training is escalated in the market. That is what is expected to take place to early enough. Subsequently, the competitors shall begin to emulate their product, and provide the type of training and empowerment. Moreover, the BHS neither has the research and development department nor an office as well as a team. They have a presumption that that Research and Development department are not necessary at this organisational level. Furthermore, the size of the organisation is not big enough to contain the department. On the other hand, the fact is that they require Research and Development to stay in the competition race, far along in this report will explain the reasons they will require to have the department. Therefore, BHS should be aware of the crucial circumstance they are in, and do all what they have to secure the client and to become attractable for the potential clients, at the end of this report there will be some recommendations which should cover this point. Group Level The group level project report will analyse the team learning and the society of practices within the organisation. The project report will therefore asses the learning team to find out the manner the team learning gives provision to learning opportunities as well as providing knowledge which the employees require as a team. Team Learning Team learning level will entail the discussion of team learning in BHS, as noted by Kasl, Marsick and Dechant (2000, p. 254) that we define team learning as a process through which a group creates knowledge for its members, for its self as system, and for others. As such, the development in training will be from personal point of view to the whole system. At BHS, the employees hold meetings every week. During the meetings, they review the previous flights encompassing instructor, procedure officers, and conservation demonstrative should grace with presence to this meeting, they will have deep considerations on proceedings that were successful, as well as what defaulted from the expected results during the weekly meetings. In an effort to have a lesson learnt from the consequences, the instructor pilots are a composition of senior, subsidiary, ex-military, and member of the public instructors. As such, this composition will escalate to a top-level knowledge management and experience sharing that mutually benefits all parties in a vicious cycle. This will typically be brought out with regard to the ex-military instructor, whom in most cases has experienced this manner of training and empowerment in the preceding period of learning for a great number of years. Several instructors are endowed with immense opportunity to take responsibly for Fort Rucker army post in the United States. The position, usually calls for top qualified rotary, will present international levels of competency within the learning organisation. Ultimately, one is driven to give the implication that BHS engages in efficient and effective teamwork in learning during the team meetings during the week which give one of the top evidence of a significant element of learning organisation. Personal Level The personal level presents a learning experience coupled with development and reflection within the organisation. As such, the project report advances to explore this level through analysis of personal reflection to realise the quantity and quality of knowledge. Again, the wealth of experience that each employee obtain through cognitive process is fundamental. Individual Reflection Personal reflection as suggested by O’Keeffe (2000, p. 300) brings out the idea that individual learning follows the reflection in the process of stepping back from an experience and making an effort to ponder, carefully and importunately. The reflection encompasses a deep understanding to self-development interference. Notwithstanding, learning brings out the idea of innovativeness to meaning of historical or present events that work for as a guide for future understanding (O’Keeffe 2002). The study will cover the personal reflection from the individual level within the organisation. At this point of the paper, it is worthwhile to note that the instructor puts on paper technical reports after every flight that took place during the study with the trainee. Furthermore, it puts down all that took place in the cockpit. Nevertheless, Moreover, they encompass the proceedings and lessons at the class rooms, even if they are positives or negatives which have taken place in flight, as well as the manner one advanced to handle it. Finally, the trend in terms of rate of progress of the employees on trainings with respect to flight versus the previous flight. As supported by O’Keeffe (2002) that we investigate involvements and encapsulate our understanding the study. The flight commandant is responsible for reviewing the reports and offers support to modified actions that have been undertaken. Furthermore, as an instructor, he/s gives instructor’s recommendation. This report shall enhance the teachers experience as well as advance his capability to assess the employees performance under training (O’Keeffe 2002 p. 299). The report might as well fall to the submission to indicate that BHS are undertaking learning-organisation activities that immensely touch on personal reflection, and developing individual competency and experience. In fact, the learning organization at the individual level is fully implemented to levels that have a positive impact to the employee. Findings Outline Level of Organisation The study encompasses the conduction of interview with the employees of BHS organisation. Two designated employees of the BHS were the superior teachers and head of military school (HOMS). The report brought out the idea that they lack the understanding and fundamental of important proficiencies to the school. This accrues from the fact that the current day with regard to the competitive situation due to the demand that is low. The situation is further stressed for the military manner of exercise as well as the agreement undertaken with the Middle East countries. This is received in incentives since the state endeavoured in this process. As such, BHS prides in enjoying a kind of monopoly advantages it is endangered against a competitive measure by the administration (O’Keeffe 2002). Irrespective of the admission that the Middle East nations had taken up the United States military doctrines are looking for wider ways of capacity building. This accrues from the fact that the United States Army as well as the Private American Training Companies, which offer substantial training through the United States Army. This brings out the immense revelation of interest in perspective of the Middle East nations that took place. This is caused by the impossibilities that the United States students encounter while having the grants. The implication is in an escalating trend in demand from the industry. Subsequently, slow or lack of response form the organisation that has portrayed elements of learning organisation is because of failure of earlier planning will prepare them fundamentally well. They will not have much funds of cash as well as they shall discover themselves out of the competitive market. Group Level The meetings held every week by management for the staff are conducted within the set time being highly regarded as one of the most significant activities undertaken in the organisation. Furthermore, the duo stakeholders accumulate much gratefulness from the fact that the meetings present a chance to share their experiences particularly from the civilian instructors. Because the staff experience much understanding from practical and theoretical views of the subject, they have goals and objectives to achieve in the long terms together and much more easily. Again, it is worthwhile to grasp the entire strategic navigational daytime and night combat mission as well as all other military tasks that they never had a chance to endeavour. Therefore, they call for much enthusiasm together with the employees to attain immense knowledge that may enable them enhance their capability to be in line with the quasi-military environment. Furthermore, the weekly meetings consistently make it possible for the researcher to track their performance and capability of the instructors to effect the instructions and recommendations. In instances of default of performance, they may have the option to give evidence. HOMS will enhance a deep recognition and understanding of this endeavour as well as fixing any defaults immediately. This strategy is undertaken by the United States Army System in an effort to achieve effectiveness efficiently. The instructor that worked with the United States, not forgetting HOMs, took up the concept. Again, this conceptualisation regarded as the After Action Review (AAR) brings out the ideas of a strategic approach that offers reflection on learning and understanding while they are performing (Baird, Deacon, and Holland 2000, p. 187). Individual Level Becker Helicopter Services have adopted a method of reporting students review as conducted by a superior instructor. The continuously liaison from one instructor to the other enhances effective communication through feedback from the operations officers in this endeavour. The day to day briefing before every departure or arrival of the flights with the students calls for briefing as well as flight after the comments, becomes an effective strategy. The whole system involves the activities that offer a favourable surrounding for individuals to step up their experience and reflect. As such, this presents a substantial cognitive learning process. This is summarised as a kind of reflection that is top in employee cognitive learning process (O’Keeffe 2000 p. 300). Recommendations Ultimately, the reporter fell to admitting to the submission that BHS offers the employees a substantial level of understanding and experience. This is pronounced within the groups and individual levels, based on the confirmation that available in those dual levels. This brings out the implication that eliminates the organisational level that requires much awareness from the school leadership. Notwithstanding, much importance of the significant learning accrues for this rate which will be analysed and assessed in the next few (Baird, Deacon& Holland 2000). Group Level An extensive and intensive group level analysis revealed the vertical flow of experiences. The vertical flow presented the senior to junior tutors that normally happen at the same time that weekly meetings take place. Furthermore, at other times one may see the changing of these issues and passage of information in classrooms. Again, the learning process takes place in the classroom, which is in line with the superiority of the instructor and had a substantial impact at the end of classroom lesson. The superior instructor further offers much insight when clarifying and confirming issues whenever necessary. Notwithstanding, there exists some periods of time that he horizontal flow was present. For example, an instructor gives instructions to the junior employees downwards as well as when the junior employees give feedback to the senior instructor upwards presents vertical flows. On the other hand, this orientation bases on their background, regardless of the number of hours one had flown. This also relied on the type of flights It also relied on the nature of flights (hours of daylight, night, mechanism flight, strategic flight etc.). Subsequently, the teachers had conducted in the historical and the environment where he runs them (peacetime, wartime, real combat undertakings, or training assignments). Other than Becker Helicopter Services experiencing a learning organisation element in this level as presented, the efficiency of the educational organisation would be improved by escalating the number of meetings within the staff. Furthermore, designating classes for non-combatant instructors to raise their strategic knowledge is fundamental. This is well illustrated by Friesen, Kaye and Associates (2005 p. 223) that teams, practically than individuals, are the significant learning unit in current organisations. O’Keeffe (2002) further suggests at this level is where 'the rubber meets the road. On the other hand, the design that teams efficiently understand might bring the implication that learning companies may not learn. The study therefore comes to the understanding of this conceptualisation, unless persons may learn, it might be difficult for groups to understand and develop. There is no enough time for Becker Helicopter Services to implement a few extended learning organisations for employees. The fundamental barriers to implement these strategies is the obtainability of period, all these progressions have very close-fitting time frame, in this limited time Becker Helicopter Services need to make available the student with all information demanded by customer and as per the syllabus that agreed upon between Becker Helicopter Services and client. In years to come, Becker Helicopter Services will have the burden to make available the customer course plan. In essence, it will enhance escalating the length of the course, so they may more periods to apply learning organisation not necessarily implementing negatively enhance the course, which in return will flow in the benefit of the client, and the Becker Helicopter Service. Individual Level Serenko, Bontis & Hardie (2007) suggest that reflection takes place in less formal manners together. We might have experienced advancements while nudging, showering, or cutting the lawn. The junior or civilian teachers required to take responsibility side by side with one of the superior ex-military tutors for some time before he was designated as a strategic instructor, working together with one another would offer a chance to the reflection to take place. There is strong evidence in this rate of implementing learning organisation in our institution is fundamental. The instructors are normally committed in putting reports on paper with respect to students, irrespective of the diminutive comments that encompass the cock pit or in the classroom. The regarded learning organisation enhances the efficiency of understanding this institutions in the level designated. In case they escalate the number of military instructors that are out of the industry and offer, those favourable opportunities to fly with civilian teachers, as well as the junior civilian teachers require to carry out their tasks together with their superior military instructors who have retired out of the industry (Alan 2000). This presents more experience to the strategic instructors who carry out their business close to one another. Furthermore, it provides a chance for the individual under training to have a reflection that takes place in formal manners. The reporter admits that such experience is a success while nudging, taking births and moving along and across the lawn. For one to undertake this barrier such challenges in the organisation calls for one to move swiftly and implement the instructions recommended. Again, taking substantial steps to existing the qualified superior military instructors who are retired is fundamental in this endeavour. The pre-existing qualified instructors will give the learning institutional organisation various instructors with the understanding of the organisation’s need and uniform needs as demanded by the customers (Amanat 2000). This training may be executed at any time they are requested, however, preceding their requirement to undertake the market demand prudently. Organisational Level The organisational level end up as the least strongest together with three levels, as I have put it in above paragraphs of this report, if they maintain the act as it is presently, it will result in stagnation from its start. Again, it calls for one to take place. From time in memorial, ignorance is related to the BHS for the significance of their fundamental proficiencies, and the element of security of any competitive niche. The organisation has the capability that will overwhelm the barriers, as well as attracting the organisation to look for the state’s support to bring down the number of obstacles diplomatically. Again, it may build a good relationship with foreign states by transforming the training and understanding to customer’s location that will offer the organisation substantial support. This comes at a time when administration and the constraints brought by enactment of law may be a fundamental obstacle in the implementation of these strategies. An extensive and intensive study of future demand, risk valuation, and clarification of the goals are fundamental for the organisation to be the most effective in this field as they may take substantial attempts may not have clear goals for capability building (Easterby-Smith, Crossan, & Nicolini 2000). Ultimately, it is clear that presently there are no competitors. Therefore, BHS has the chance and make attempts to bring out their fundamental proficiencies so that they may call for this manner of training increases, they may become the best learning organisation in this industry. The significance proficiencies does not bring down with its utilization. The distance form Middle East to Australia, the visa procedures, and cost of active, may be a fundamental reason for the customer and active customers to consider sending employees for training to Austria. This is more pronounced when they realise the best alternatives locally. As such, BHS requires deep consideration of transporting the working out to intermediate area, together with the countries calling for the type of training (Mayo 2004). Summary Becker Helicopter Services effectively implements a high level of learning organisation. As such, the project report analysis portrays the organisation as one that treats the progressed pilot soldier of rank as a core competency. Furthermore, they are pleased with this product, even though they do not display any sign of willingness to enhance the product and protect it from imitation. BHS has the fundamentals of a learning organisation. On the other hand, less or more attempts could be considered as good learning organisation. Furthermore, failing to prepare them for expanding the number of competent teachers with a good military background enables one to contain potential client’s demands. On other hand, BHS is doing a perfect job by applying the learning organisation in additional levels (group, and individual), all signs, and indications indicate that learning organisation is in place, and employees are developing and expounding. The organisation needs itself to move beyond the degradation in organisational level that would be happening by coming up with a search and development office, to look for the best manner of enhance their core competences, and to read what the market demands are. Conclusion This pilot research interviewed the titleholder of the institutional organisation, who seem to be among the senior instructors, and take responsibility as school manager, and the head of military in the organisational institution. The head of military is responsible for senior instructors who had extensive experience working with United States army aviation. This report opened the way for a pilot study of the previously established framework. This illustrates a design to examine Becker Helicopter Services School, to get the factors that influence the ability of the organisational institution to be a decent environment for applying learning organization for the employees. As a result, their answers for the report questions could be used in all three levels of learning. Subsequently, they can be taken as part of all three rates; we can take into consideration dealing with Becker Helicopter Services owner taken as constituents at the organisational level. Consequently, the instructor and section of the team, the similar issues of HOMS who may have participated to be the teachers team leader. Furthermore, the instructor who bestows the responsibility for the students like any other teacher, as such I have hope that this report shall offer a fair examination for Becker Helicopter Services from the understanding that they experience limited learning, which is a key attribute, and used only to cater for empirical study (Easterby-Smith, Crossan, & Nicolini 2000 p. 13). References Alan T. Belasen (2000). Leading the learning organization: communication and competencies for managing change. SUNY series in human communication processes: SUNY Series. SUNY Press: London. Amanat H., (2000). Managing operational risk in financial markets: Butterworth-Heinemann finance. Butterworth-Heinemann: New York. Dealtry R., (2000). The corporate university's role in managing an epoch in learning organisation innovation. Intellectual Partnerships: Michigan. Easterby-Smith, M. , Crossan, M., and Nicolini, D., (2000). Organizational learning: debates past, present and future. Journal of Management Studies. 37 (6) pp 783-796. Friesen, Kaye and Associates, (2005). Managing the Learning Organization. Retrieved on 14th October 2011 from Mayo A., (2004). Creating a Learning and Development Strategy: The HR Business Partner's Guide to Developing People. CIPD Publishing: New York. McHugh, D., Groves, D., and Alker, A., (1998). Managing learning: what do we learn from a learning organization? The Learning Organization 5 (5) pp. 209-220. O’Keeffe, T., (2002). Organizational Learning: a new perspective. Journal of European Industrial Training, 26 (2), pp. 130-141. Serenko, A., Bontis, N., and Hardie, T., (2007). Organizational size and knowledge flow: A proposed theoretical link. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 8 (4), pp. 610-627. Read More