The learning organisation: conditions of possibility in a feminist NGO. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Wet, Jacques P.; Schoots, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Development in practice. Volume 26:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Civil society – NGOs -- Gender and diversity -- Sub-Saharan Africa; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.91091724
• DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2016.1118017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-4524

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Amidst criticism of the concept of "the learning organisation" there is a perspective which is both critical of, and open to, innovative ways of developing the notion of a learning organisation. This article contributes to this perspective by examining the learning practices of a feminist NGO which operates across Southern Africa. The ways in which this NGO has interpreted the idea of a learning organisation and put it into practice are an example of a bottom-up approach which is informed by humanism. The findings of this qualitative study demonstrate both innovative possibilities for organisational learning and potential pitfalls.