human potential is heralded. Learning organizations foster an environment
wherein people can "create the results they truly desire," and where they
can learn to learn together for the betterment of the whole. (Quoted in
Mason, 2006)..The paper argues that creating a learning culture takes effect from a shift of mind,
which means seeing ourselves separate from the world where we exist, and then taking it
to seeing our connectedness to the world. Adding further it envisages that we should see
ourselves as integral components in work place, instead of independent and unimportant.
Further more; a shift is essential from the dominant patterns of behaviors, where people
reason defensively, to where they are ready to accept each others contradictory opinions.
According to Holbech (1999) a learning culture is prone to risk-taking and must
tolerate a few mistakes by the staff. In a learning culture conventional leadership must be
replaced by a leadership that include representatives from all level and be open to
feedback. She adds that in a learning culture risk and ambiguity leads to anxiety for the
managers, therefore, managers should more frequently practice patience. The managers
should be able to handle conflict, debate and tension within the organization.
In creating a learning culture, Holbech (1999) suggests that HR should setup
networks that will bring together the communities with a common interest in developing
and sharing knowledge together. Holbech states that:
Managers need to develop ways of openly examining their individual and
collective responses to anxiety as a way of avoiding decisions or
actions which may be superficial, ineffective or counterproductive for the
purpose of the organization. (1999: p. 433).According to Jacob (2004), the individuals may or may not voluntarily share
knowledge with each other and therefore, knowledge sharing initiative must be associated
with promotions and compensation to sustain the practice within the organization.
Discussing the role of policies in facilitating knowledge sharing Jacob highlights: