ARTICLES
The Construct of the Learning
Organization: Dimensions,
Measurement, and Validation
Baiyin Yang, Karen E. Watkins, Victoria J. Marsick
This research describes efforts to develop and validate a multidimensional
measure of the learning organization. An instrument was developed based on
a critical review of both the conceptualization and practice of this construct.
Supporting validity evidence for the instrument was obtained from several
sources, including best model-data fit among alternative measurement
models, nomological network among dimensions of the learning organization,
and organizational performance outcomes. Acceptable reliability estimates
were obtained for the seven proposed dimensions. Consequently, the
instrument, Dimensions of the Learning Organization Questionnaire, was
recommended for use in organizational studies.
The concept of the learning organization has received increasing attention in
the field of organizational studies, yet little is known about how to measure
it. Despite growing attention to the learning organization, the lack of a theo-
retically derived measure of the construct has deterred substantive research
in this area. Tsang (1997) observes that most writings in this area tend to
be prescriptive and lack systematic and solid empirical research. Learning
organization theorists argue that there has been considerable conceptual con-
fusion about the nature of learning at the organizational level (Argyris &
Schön, 1978, 1996; Brown & Duguid, 1991; Fiol & Lyles, 1985; Gephart,
Marsick, Van Buren, & Spiro, 1996; Hedberg, 1981; Huber, 1991; Isaacs &
Senge, 1992; March & Olsen, 1976; Meyer, 1982; Miner & Mezias, 1996;
Tsang, 1997). From a theoretical perspective and for research purposes,
researchers need to know the dimensionality of this concept and its relation-
ships with other organizational variables. The purpose of this study is to
contribute to this growing literature by developing and validating a measure
of the learning organization.
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HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY, vol. 15, no. 1, Spring 2004
Copyright © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.