Conclusions and further work
This paper offers a broad theoretical framework that links the two streams - OL and LO. The current divergence has much to do with the lack of attention paid to the barriers in learning transfer (within OL). This was seen in (OL and) most prescriptive-based LO work, where practical implementations have encountered difficulties. Therefore the need to establish a theoretical framework that links the two streams is clearly established. This would give practitioners a clear perspective of the barriers involved in the learning transfer, and a clearer link to the learning processes. The theoretical framework would highlight the "disablers" that would minimize the (-) learning tensions. It will also provide a link to the learning processes in the organization. This type of information, perhaps collected through an action research process in the organization, is clearly beneficial to the practitioner as it informs them of the consequences of their actions. This should be particularly useful to the leaders in the organization in their attempts to build an LO.
To take these ideas further, we intend to carry out an organizational survey (for a selected industry segment) and elicit the key (-) learning tensions, (+) survival tensions, and the disablers. A theoretical framework will be built with the results of the research. The theoretical framework would be the basis for an assessment tool, which, we believe, can be developed. This tool would provide feedback on the progress of the journey in building an LO.