| Author | Pham Ngoc Thuy |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.SM-06-04 |
| Subject(s) | Organizational learning--Vietnam
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| Note | A dissertation submitted in pa1iial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Organizational learning is one of the various ways to develop a firm's capability through its knowledge resources. This learning occurs when knowledge is created by the firm's individuals and transferred to units that benefit the organization as a whole. Literature in organizational learning shows that several research problems in the field have been solved. However, there remain gaps about the relationship between the facilitators and outcomes of organizational learning. To bridge these gaps, this study identifies (1) the impact of organizational characteristics on the organizational learning process and (2) how different components of organizational learning process affect learning outcomes in the design process. Based on the literature review on organizational learning, a theoretical model and hypotheses to be tested have been developed. They specify the relationships and directions among the organizational characteristics (leadership commitment, incentive system, and staff interaction), the organizational learning process (knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, and knowledge utilization) and the learning outcomes (performance improvement and organizational climate). Data was collected from 339 firms with a design function in the construction industry in Vietnam. In each firm, the knowledge used in engineering design was the particular focus for organizational learning. In the study, scales measuring the eight constructs were developed, refined and validated through both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The proposed theoretical model has been tested using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach. The results indicate that each of the proposed facilitators has a significant impact on organizational learning, but not on all three components (i.e. knowledge acquisition, sharing and utilization). Particularly, leadership commitment has a significant positive impact only on knowledge utilization. Incentive system has significant positive impact only on knowledge acquisition. The impact of incentive system on knowledge sharing and utilizing is not empirically supported. The third antecedent, staff interaction has been found to impact the knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing. The impact of leadership commitment on the incentive system and impact of the incentive system on staff interaction and organizational learning were significant. Regarding learning outcomes, all three components of organizational learning are found to have a significant impact on the development of the organization's climate. Knowledge acquisition is the most important antecedent. In contrast, the firm's performance is only improved when its employees utilize their knowledge and experience as a result of learning in the organization. In addition, organizational climate is also a significant antecedent of performance improvement. The findings show that to improve performance, managers play the most important role. The firm's leaders who commit to learning should encourage the employees to utilize their knowledge and experience in their work. Moreover, firm's performance is improved when leaders establish an appropriate incentive system which indicates the rewards and punishment based on their learning. A company policy to support learning gives the chance for employees to acquire or create knowledge actively. Moreover, the interaction among the firm's employees would enhance their activities in acquiring and sharing knowledge. This leads to positive change in the organizational climate |
| Year | 2006 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Swierczek, Fredric William |
| Examination Committee(s) | Krairit, Donyaprueth;Shaw, Jonathan;Kamoche, N.K. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Switzerland |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006 |