Affiliated Organization

University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

This paper examines the foundations of organizational capabilities by considering such capabilities asthe result of organizational learning. The paper provides a rigorous treatment of organizationallearning as an evolutionary process on the basis of the notion of ‘generalized Darwinism’ and itsapplication to knowledge. This results in an explanatory framework that is subsequently applied to thework of Nelson and Winter, Penrose and Burgelman. The paper argues that organizational learningneeds to be understood as an evolutionary process, and that on such understanding organizationalcapabilities have to be distinguished from the knowledge that underwrites them. This knowledge notonly resides in the members of the organization, but also in collective organizational characteristicsthat are not reducible to individuals as such.

Volume

5

Issue

3

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