What is the difference between Traditional and Learning Organizations.

The differences between traditional and learning organization. These difference increase the importance of the learning organization today. It is said why most of the enterprises are now working to develop a generative learning environment.

The differences between traditional and learning organization are discussed below:

Conflict Resolution: In the traditional organization, conflicts are resolved through the use of power and hierarchical influence. But in the learning organization conflicts are resolved through the use of collaborative learning and the integration of diverse view points of personnel throughout the organization.

Formulation and Implementation of Ideas: In the traditional organization top management decides what is to, be done and the rest of the organization acts are done on the basis of these ideas. But formulation and implementation of ideas take place at all levels of the organization in the learning organization.

Leadership. and Motivation: In the traditional organization role of the leader is to establish the organisation’s vision. Leader also provide rewards and punishment where it is necessary. Control of employee activities is another important function of the leader in the traditional organization. But in the learning organization the leader build a shared vision, empower the personnel, in-spite commitment and encourage effective decision-making throughout the enterprises through the use of empowerment and charismatic leadership.

Determination of Overall Direction: In the traditional organization top management provided the direction or vision. But in the learning organization direction or vision emerge from many places. And it is the top management who is responsible for this vision.

Organizational Thinking: In the traditional organization each person is responsible for his or her own job, responsibilities is on developing individual competence. But in the learning organization personnel understand their own jobs as well as the way in which their own work interrelated and influences that of other personnel.

From these differences we know that in the traditional organization, top management is all in all in the organization. It decide what is to become, provide vision and solve conflict by using power in the organization. It also provides appropriate rewards and punishment to its employees.

But in the learning organization conflict is solved through the use of collaborative learning with the diverse viewpoints of personnel. Here ideas are formulated and implemented at all levels of the organization. In the learning organization top management is responsible for vision but it emerges from many places. However, these differences help illustrate why learning organizations are gaining importance and why an increasing number of enterprise are now working to develop a generative learning environment.