Development Planning and Administration

MPA – 403Lecture 19

FACILITATORProf. Dr. Mohammad Majid Mahmood Bagram

Reflections

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Organizational Learning & Organizational Performance

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In Organizational development (OD), learning is a characteristic of an adaptive organization,

i.e., an organization that is able to sense changes in signals from its environment

(both internal and external) and adapt accordingly.

Learning

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What is Organizational Learning?

• Argyris defines organizational learning as the process of "detection and correction of errors." In his view, organizations learn through individuals acting as agents for them.

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• Huber clarifies that learning need not be conscious or intentional. Further, learning does not always increase the learner's effectiveness, or even potential effectiveness. Moreover, learning need not result in observable changes in behavior.

What is Organizational Learning?

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• Duncan & Weiss, argue that individual learning occurs when people give a different response to the same stimulus, but Organizational Learning occurs when groups of people give the same response to different stimuli."

What is Organizational Learning?

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How organizations learn?

• Argyris and Schon were the first to propose models that facilitate organizational learning:

• Argyris and Schon (1978) distinguish between single-loop and double-loop learning

• In single-loop learning, individuals, groups, or organizations modify their actions according to the difference between expected and obtained outcomes.

• In double-loop learning, the entities (individuals, groups or organization) question the values, assumptions and policies that led to the actions in the first place; if they are able to view and modify those, then second-order or double-loop learning has taken place.

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Two types of learning:

• Operant conditioning• Social learning

Types of Learning

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Operant Conditioning

• Learning that takes place when the learner recognizes the connection between a behavior and its consequences.

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Social Learning Theory

• A learning theory that takes into account the fact that thoughts and feelings influence learning.

• Necessary components include:– Vicarious learning– Self-control– Self-efficacy

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Vicarious Learning

• Learning that occurs when one person (the learner) learns a behavior by watching another person (the model) perform the behavior.

• Learners can also learn from situations in which models get punished.

• Role models can be positive or negative.

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Self-Control

• Self-discipline that allows a person to learn to perform a behavior even though there is no external pressure to do so.

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Self-Efficacy

• A person’s belief about his or her ability to perform a particular behavior successfully.

• Sources of self-efficacy:– Past performance– Verbal persuasion

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Common (2004) discusses obstacles for organizational learning in the public sector:

resistance to change individual interests blame culture

Learning Obstacles

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Organizational Performance

Organizational Performance is the process of directing and supporting employees to

work as effectively and efficiently as possible in line with the needs of the organization

(Walters).

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• The higher you climb the ladder in your organization, the less chance you have of getting feedback about your performance.

• Those who could most use performance feedback to enhance their performance are often the least likely to get it.

Organizational Performance

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Myth # 1:Executives neither need nor want performance reviews.

Myth # 2:A formal review is beneath the dignity of an executive.

Myth # 3:Top level executives are too busy to conduct their

appraisals.

Myth # 4:Results are the only basis for assessing executive performance.

Organizational Performance - myths

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Consider the following situations:

• The athlete searching for a coach who really understands him.

• The student waiting to see his guidance counselor at university.

• The worker who has just begun working for a new boss.

Q:What do these situations have in common?A:The need to manage performance effectively.

Organizational Performance

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Learning vs. Rejection of New Ideas

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Learning vs. Rejection of New Ideas

Gladwell believes:

Our preferences are quite unstable, especially when we are first introduced to something new. This is because we need time to "learn" about the new object or idea.

We also tend to make up stories by picking up clues when we are introduced to something new.

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Reframe for the Holistic

• Generally heart patients, don’t follow the doctors instructions even facing a life or death situation. Thus, how can we expect leaders to change people?

• Dr. Ornish, proved that through a holistic program that includes going after their feelings by having them attend a twice-weekly support group sessions led by a psychologist. A study showed that after three years, 77% of the patients had stuck with their lifestyle changes and avoided the surgery.

• Facing death for most people is much too frightening to think about, thus patients often go into denial; where as making daily life more enjoyable is a powerful motivator.

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Flow Rather than Script

Give employees flexibility in their work so that the situation is allowed to design itself, rather than just becoming a carbon copy.

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Velocity and Viscosity

Velocity - the speed with which knowledge moves through an organization.

Viscosity - the richness or thickness of the knowledge transferred.

Knowledge requires viscosity, which uses rich sources. This is why knowledge can be so hard to come by at times.

Organizational performance improves by focusing on learning, reframing, flowing, and viscosity.

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What is the Performance Gap?

Actualperformance

Desired performance

PerformanceGap

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WHAT DO WE MEAN BY UNDER-PERFORMANCE?

Consistently failing to deliver key aspects of the role

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REASONS WHY MANAGERS SOMETIMES DO NOT ADDRESS PROBLEMS

• They hope the problem might go away by itself• Lack of confidence• Discomfort with the role of manager• A fear that if the problem is highlighted, more

problems might come up• A fear of confrontation• Worry that working relationships might be damaged• Fear of being challenged• Lack of time• Not knowing where to start• Unclear whose role it is to address performance

issues• Lack of understanding that a performance issue exists• Lack of support

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POSSIBLE CAUSES OF UNDER PERFORMANCE

Lack of training or support Poor supervision Tools/equipment not working adequately Unclear instructions or no clear targets Lack of understanding of the role Unrealistic targets• ill-health• Personal problems• Relationships at work are difficult• Workload• Stress• Change• In the wrong job

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PROCEDURE FOR MANAGING POOR PERFORMANCE LEGALLY

Investigation Informal discussion Formal discussions Time to improve Monitoring: provide training, support,

coaching, etc Consideration of alternative action before

dismissal

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PLANNING A “DIFFICULT” CONVERSATION

The desired outcome that you want How to start the meeting The content of the conversation Managing oneself Dealing with conflict

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Improved Organizational Learning & Organizational Performance

Sense of Ownership

Supportive environment

Involve employees

Thank you for your kind attention!

FACILITATORProf. Dr. Mohammad Majid Mahmood Bagram