The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a more complete understanding of
organizational learning. The paper elaborates four constructs integrally linked to
organizational learning (knowledge acquisition, information distribution, information
interpretation, and organizational memory) and describes needs and opportunities for
further research and for integration of work already completed. It differs from
previous examinations of organizational learning (Hedberg 1981; Shrivastava 1983;
FioI and Lyles 1985; Levitt and March 1988) in that it is broader in the scope of its
subject matter and it evaluates the literatures more critically. In particular, the paper
notes and attempts to explain the general lack of cumulative work and the lack of
synthesis of work from different research groups. It also notes that thus far only a
very small proportion of the work is presented in forms and forums that give it social
or administrative value.