ABSTRACT
The 1990s have been labeled the decade of the "learning organization". In the decade of the 1980s, American business discovered that defining the role of management as planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating and commanding was too narrow an interpretation if organizations were to compete effectively in the world market of the 1990s. The inability of managers to learn and perform these new roles can be damaging to the long- and short-term efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of an organization. Researchers note that unsuccessful managers are often unable to assume new roles, incorporate new productive knowledge, face shortcomings, challenge mental models, share insights, accept constructive feedback, or view their work and the work of the business systemically.
