Replying to LO27010 --
Is there any definition of self-organized learning that can be described
in 50 words or less?
Dear MICHELLE,
I am attempting a definition: The crux of the self-organising approach
lies in the spontaneous construction of a somewhat stable entity (e.g.,
system, network, framework, process, environment, etc.) that functions as
the basis of a unique competence for some participants. (35 words)
Elaboration: A natural expression of this approach can be found among fire
ants-a group of species who have inculcated a unique competence to survive
during floods. When uprooted from their colonies due to flooding the fire
ants spontaneously form a raft-like mass (this can be conceived as a
shared resource) that just floats downstream until the water subsides (or
it encounters high ground) and the ants then form new colonies there.
Relevance to organisational/management settings: In this approach, it is
important to nurture and develop the ability of managers to be so related
to each other that they are able to come together spontaneously to bring
forth some unique resource that can be used in responding to some
challenge. There can be different implementations of this approach. One of
them is implied by the notion of knowledge networks. Another is implied by
the idea of learning community. In each of these, there is an awareness
that the current challenges before management require new competencies not
existing within the profession today. Since it is not already known how
such competencies might be created, the profession should allow the
possibility for the spontaneous bringing forth of new types of resource
through appropriate forms of interaction among the present actors, skills,
knowledge bases, etc.
This implies a critical domain for innovations in management today is the
domain of designing appropriate forms of interaction. The designs should
increase the chances of new shared resources being created collectively.
Elements of such thinking can be found emerging in management and
elsewhere (Clarke and Clegg, 2000; Dash, 1999; McTaggart, 1997; Zeeuw,
1992).
REREFENCES:
Clarke, T. and Clegg, S. (2000). Changing Paradigms: The Transformation of
Management Knowledge for the 21st Century, HarperCollinsBusiness, London.
ISBN 0 00 638731 4, Paperback.
Dash, D. P. (1999). Vocabulary of Agency: Development and Assessment of a
Generic Conceptual Framework to Guide Action-Oriented Research in Multiple
Domains, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, Lincoln,
United Kingdom.
McTaggart, R. (1997). Revitalizing Management as a Scientific Activity.
Management Learning, 28, 2. pp. 177-195.
Zeeuw, G. de (1992). Soft Knowledge Accumulation, or the Rise of
Competence. Systems Practice, 5, 2. pp. 193-214.
DP
Dr. D. P. Dash
--"D P Dash" <D_P_Dash@nts2.ximb.ac.in>
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