Relating configuration and learning in Brazil and Australia

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether an organisation's configuration, with regard to its operating environment, could have a bearing on the learning that occurs within the organisation because the configuration can be considered an artefact capable of enabling learning and capable of facilitating the storage and utilisation of the results of learning. This raises an interesting question about the ability of organisations to shape the configuration that enables and facilitates them, which in turn would shape the learning itself.

Design/methodology/approach

Reported in this paper is research in healthcare organisations in Brazil and Australia that use a multidisciplinary model of care delivery which test these relationships.

Findings

The paper's findings indicate that in the Brazilian case learning has to do with the formal acquisition of knowledge for use within professions, by professionals who are in practice and teaching. In the Australian case learning has to do with the flexible acquisition of knowledge across professions, within and between teams.

Originality/approach

This paper is useful to those wishing to facilitate learning in an organisation.

Citation

Terra da Silva, M. and Davison, G. (2005), "Relating configuration and learning in Brazil and Australia", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 148-162. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777260510600068