| This study's goal is to increase knowledge about organization theory and its influence on organizational learning, continuous improvement, and change. Organizations must grasp the vital truth that the link between learning and continuous improvements is basic to the organization's future. How can an organization improve without learning what is new? Introducing a new process always requires adopting a new perspective, seeing the world differently and acting accordingly. Without learning, change for most organizations is only cosmetic, repeating old approaches. The capacity to learn, improve, and change is steadily increased and improved by the application of organization theory to an organizations problems. This study focuses on that application.; Discussions of learning organizations are often seen as utopian. The subject of this study clearly demonstrates that the application of organization theory to problem does not mean that success is just around the corner or that grand themes can replace hard work. Modifying behavior allowed for creating and transferring new knowledge, but changes in the ways that work was accomplished were even more important.; The researcher operated from the basic assumption that organizations are complex---so complex that, at times, they defy definition. This perspective guided the broad selection of material for the literature review. The literature review emphasizes the roots of contemporary management practices, especially leadership, stakeholder involvement, organizational learning, culture, and planned change. The literature suggests that the organizational context includes three structures: leadership and management, the open-systems approach, and the external environment. Structures are defined as the organization's foundational forms influencing social conditions in which actions occur. Structure influences the characteristics of three additional organizational properties: organizational learning, organizational culture, and organizational shifts. These are called emergent properties.; The study attempts to answer the research question: What is the nature of organization theory and its influence on organizational learning and change. Based on critical realist methodology acknowledging the complexity of social entities, the researcher conducted an investigation of Semco S/A (Brazil). The investigation indicates that organization theory does influence organization change. The organization's structures and emergent properties interact to provide an environment in which organization learning and change can occur. |
