In both approaches, the application to organizations of a model of learning based on cognition by individuals entails, in our view, at least three substantive problems. First, it raises a set of complex arguments concerning the ontological status of organizations as cognitive entities ---- specifically, arguments about how organizations exist and how the nature of their existence entails an ability to learn that is identical or akin to the human cognitive abilities associated with learning. In other words, because the cognitive perspective adopts its understanding of learning from theories about individuals; it follows that to discuss cognitive organizational learning, one must first show how, in their capacity to learn, organizations are like individuals.