1.2.6. Evaluation of the literature on learning from experience. A desirable feature
of the literature on learning from experience is that the studies employ multiple
methods (e.g., laboratory experiments, mathematical analysis, computer simulations,
and retrospective analysis of organizational events). Another desirable characteristic
is that the literature is replete with fresh insights. Some observations about the
difficulties encountered in organizational learning from experience, especially when
the learning is unintentional or unsystematic, are shown in Table 1.
Examining the literature on experiential learning makes clear that a great deal has
been learned, but also raises four concerns. The first relates to the nature of the
literature. Holding aside the literature on experience-based learning curves, the
literature on organizational learning from experience contains very few formal,
systematic field studies. The second concern is that the number of independent
investigators examining any particular issue is small. The third concern has to do with
the relative absence of studies that build on the results of previous studies. For
example, in contrast to the studies concerning the effects of experience in manufacturing,
the analytic studies of unintentional or unsystematic organizational learning
tend only to reference, rather than draw upon, the previous results of analytic
studies. he fourth concern is the lack of intellectual interaction among investigators
from different groups. Work reported by any one group rarely builds on findings or
ideas from other groups. If the issues investigated were so unique that attention to
the work of outsiders would be dysfunctionally distracting, then this parochial
behavior would be understandable, but the issues are not conceptually that different.
We have examined processes where the experience leading to learning was firsthand.
The next two processes to be examined involve organizations acquiring knowledge
through second-hand experience.