Learning from samples of one or fewer. Issue 6 (26th November 2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: March, J G; Sproull, L S; Tamuz, M
• Is Part Of: Quality & safety in health care. Volume 12:Issue 6(2003)
• Page Start: 465
• Page End: 471
• Publication Date: 2003-11-26
• Subjects: organizational learning -- learning from experience -- small samples
• DOI: 10.1136/qhc.12.6.465
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-3898

Abstract

Abstract : Organizations learn from experience. Sometimes, however, history is not generous with experience. We explore how organizations convert infrequent events into interpretations of history, and how they balance the need to achieve agreement on interpretations with the need to interpret history correctly. We ask what methods are used, what problems are involved, and what improvements might be made. Although the methods we observe are not guaranteed to lead to consistent agreement on interpretations, valid knowledge, improved organizational performance, or organizational survival, they provide possible insights into the possibilities for and problems of learning from fragments of history.