Hi Andrew Rowe,
In a message dated 12/10/97 6:46:20 AM EST, you write:
" Actor Network Theory
suggests that an 'individual', like an 'organization' is a complex network
of differing influences. Therefore, the existing theory which attempts to
discern 'learning' is rather simplistic as well."
Do you have some references on Actor Network Theory? What are the basic
principles?
"Also, as Weick is concerned with the social construction of reality, the
question is less whether we can identify if organisational learning is
really going on, but what is being proffered as 'learning'?
This is a good question. Weick uses a number of different ways of
explaining what looks like learning e.g. imitation, superstitious
behaviour, improvisation, regression etc.
"p.s. I'm not sure but I think the Greek bloke's name was Heraclitus"
Heraclitus said "You can never walk into the same river twice" and it was
in response to this that Cratylus rejoined "You can never walk into the
same river once." He meant that your experience of the river changed as
you entered it. He ended up believing that you could not make a true
statement about anything that was changing, an attitude which was later
adopted by Plato. Cratylus eventually stopped using words and just moved
his finger (in which directions we don't know!). Such a philosophy would
have interesting consequences for this medium!
Best wishes,
David Hurst
Speaker, Consultant and Writer on Management
Phone: (905) 338-2628
Fax: (905) 338-7917
--DHurst1046 <DHurst1046@aol.com>
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