Abstract
This paper reports the results of an exploratory study aimed at identifying the underlying dimensions of a complex concept known as organizational learning ability (OLA). Understanding OLA is important because it is a vital part for explaining why firms are sometimes reluctant to accept and use new technologies with confidence. A good understanding of OLA is also essential to the development of a valid and reliable OLA measurement instrument. Such an instrument, in the context of information technology adoption, does not exist yet. Drawing from the prior literature and several focus group interviews, 42 items purporting to measure OLA were generated. A questionnaire developed from these 42 items was administered to 1200 firms, yielding a response rate of around 15%. The responses were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis, indicating that the co-variation among the proposed OLA 42 items can be explained by a correlated six-factor measurement which may be interpreted as: adaptability, compatibility, accessibility, information management, awareness and unit support. This study not only contributes to a better understanding of the OL concept, but also provides a basis for the construction of an instrument for measuring OLA.
Recommended Citation
Wong, Kennis and Lee, Matthew, "Exploring the dimensions of IT-based Organizational Learning Ability" (1999). AMCIS 1999 Proceedings. 169.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis1999/169