Levels of Learning LO4697

Wiggo Hustad (Wiggo.Hustad@vf.hisf.no)
Mon, 08 Jan 1996 17:09:42 +0100

Replying to LO4524 and LO4556 !

I agree upon that Bateson deserves more attention than he has got so far.
Argyris' single/double loop theory is very similar. Argyris recent book,
his collected works, does not contain one single reference to Bateson. I
find that incredible. By now he should be aware of Bateson !

For other level theories see also Hedberg (1981). James March' concepts of
Exploration and Exploitation (in Organization Science, 1/91) is also very
much a theory of learning levels.

But in appreciating Bateson, be aware of the fact that if you take him
seriously, on Principia Mathematica basis, you will end up with very few
empirical examples of learning in organizations. (very few situations in
social life fullfill the requirements of the theory - constant stimulus).
For closer study see

Weick (Org. Sci. 1/91) and March (Org. Sci. 1/91: learning from samples of
one or fewer )

BTW - happy new year to you all !
- wiggo

--
Wiggo Hustad (wiggo.hustad@vf.hisf.no)
Researcher


Organization and Learning
Western Norway Research Institute
N-5800 Sogndal, NORWAY