ABSTRACT
This chapter describes to help the reader understand the background and main approaches that have defined the field of learning as it relates to people at work. Organizational Learning as it is practiced today has roots in the fields of both human resource development (HRD) and adult education, with adult learning theory providing much of the foundation for HRD theory and practice. Yang suggests that the relationship between different philosophies underlying the fields is perhaps best described along two dimensions. The first dimension concerns the purpose of learning. The second dimension indicates the focus of learning, and the roles of the individual and society in the learning process. Merriam, Caffarella and Baumgartner outline a number of learning frameworks or philosophies within which various approaches to the subject have been accommodated. They include behaviourism, cognitivism, humanism, social cognitivism and constructivism. Finally defensiveness is reduced, more real-world experience is brought to bear on the issue, and team learning is thus enhanced.
