Evaluation of a Learning Organization. Management Essay

Evaluation of a Learning Organization
Sandra M. Turner
EDUC-6043-20W-0-2A
Master of Education and Leadership
Yorkville University  
Abstract
The dynamic nature of the business environment necessitates for the adoption of the idea of a learning organization among corporation. Learning organizations are able to quickly adapt to the changes in the business environment and also leverage on the competitive advantage of being a leaning organization. Global corporate firms such as the Apple Inc. (Apple) have been able to register tons of successes and outsmart their competitors effectively by virtue of being a learning organization. The concept of having a corporate university popularly known as the Apple University paint the picture of Apple as a learning corporation. Other design issues within the corporation such as the establishment of campus facilities to accommodate employees under the same roof fosters for collaborative earning. The adoption of the SMART goal framework is also key in the establishment of a learning organization. Other significant factors in a learning organization include leadership, organizational structure and the organization culture. 
Keywords: learning organization, corporate university, Apple, SMART
 Evaluation of a Learning Organization
Learning is a continuous process; failure to embrace a culture of constant learning can easily make an organization irrelevant. All the beautiful innovations and inventions around the world are due to the ability of people within an organization to learn. Most executives of renowned corporations attribute their success to the idea of being able to learn, either from their past mistakes or those of others(Örtenblad, 2018). Most organizations that aspire to succeed recognize learning as one of the key objective (Saadat & Saadat, 2016). According to Garvin (1993), a learning organization can be defined as "an organization skilled at creating, acquiring, and transferring knowledge, and at modifying its behavior to reflect new knowledge and insights" (par.4). This definition implies that the learning process can be initiated only when there is an innovation, new concept, or demand. Most organizations, whether accounting, manufacturing, consultancy firms, and even universities, do not meet the criteria of being classified as learning organizations. The transformation effect of learning denotes that a learning organization is able to move from one state to another either by adaptation, knowledge acquisition, or experience
Learning goes beyond attaining a certificate or a degree, which represents the tip of the iceberg in a continuous learning process. The perception that learning is limited to that of academics and technical acquisition is ill-advised. Self-acquired skills, developing a perception towards the environment, and improving from own failures form part of the learning process. Human beings have the ability to think which in turn facilitates learning and eventually make human beings great. Learning often comes as a rewarding package, equipping one with the necessary skills to land great job opportunities, achieve set goals, and improve one’s personality, among other significant outcomes. These outcomes of learning translate to an organization, bringing together people with similar logical thinking. The idea of organizational learning also came to be as a result of human beings being able to think and learn.To be recognized as a learning organization, three major aspects need to be addressed: create a learning environment that is supportive and where one is confident about one’s idea, formulate a formal learning process, and have leaders who help reinforce the learning process (Örtenblad, 2018). Most businesses are goal-oriented, and therefore, learning organizations employ an all-inclusive management framework, SMART, as described in my previous critical reflection paper (Turner, 2020). In a SMART framework, goals are well defined (specific) and have a criteria for determining the progress made (measurable). The goals should also be within the scope of being achieved (attainable), being real (realistic) and should have a validity period, expiring after a specified period of time (timely) (Bjerke & Renger, 2017). Learning organizations set SMART goals to evade any impending failures of the future.This paper emphasis on Apple as an exemplary organization that not only qualifies as a learning organization but also demonstrates the SMART goal framework to achieve its objectives. Like other top performing corporations in the world, Apple has created a corporate university (Chen, 2014). This has enabled them to adequately adapt to the ever-evolving world, learn market and customer demands, and acquire skills to outsmart their competitors in the technology industry. 
Apple 
Overview
Apple is a renowned technology giant founded in 1976 by the late Steve Jobs and his close ally Stephen Wozniak (Lashinsky, 2012). The company has evolved over this period of time from manufacturing personal computers (Macs) to software products and, now, smartphones and other communication devices. The iPhone is among the most popular handsets currently in use in North America and the majority of other countries around the world (Lashinsky, 2012). The company’s successes have been frequently associated with its ability to leverage employees’ innovative capabilities to come up with devices that are user friendly, with multiple other technical capabilities. The company, soon after gaining popularity, faced some stiff competition from a rival tech company IBM. Apple has also faced a lot of challenges in the development process. The 1985 firing of Steve Jobs who was the chief executive officer (CEO), by a team of investors that represented the majority of the management team led to the inevitable downfall of the company (Lashinsky, 2012). Later in 1997 the founder returned to Apple and the company was reborn. The company has since then managed to release numerous products ranging from the iMac, to the iPod, to the famous iPhone. 
Apple stands apart from the numerous corporations in the tech industry because of its adaptable nature and ability to incorporate learning in its talented employees. Learning organizations have their top-level management playing an important role in ensuring that adaptability and a culture of continuous learning are instilled among employees. The late Steve Jobs has been described with many attributes, some regarded him as a terrible nuisance whereas others praised him for his legacy at Apple. Without question, however, he was instrumental in fostering the idea of, and founding, a corporate university called Apple University (Lashinsky, 2012).  The immense influence that the visionary Steve Jobs had is notable to date because the company has adequately developed a culture of adaptability and continuity of learning courtesy of his passion and drive. 
Apple’s Mission Statement, Leadership, and Goals
Apple has evolved over four decades and as it evolved, so did its mission statement change over the years. The idea was to allow the company to attain its objectives and remain relevant in the very dynamic technology industry. Initially, Apple focused its objectives on the development of personal computers. Therefore its mission and vision statement emphasized strategies to better the world of personal computers. The aspect of change and simplicity remained constant though, despite the rapid changes in the company’s mission and vision. When Tim Cook, the current took over from Steve Jobs in 2011, the ideas of simplicity and gradual change were sustained. Although Apple does not officially have its vision and mission statement on record, there is an underlying tradition of embracing change and empowering employees. Nonetheless, Apple's initial mission statements were conventional, and the idea of many changes signifies the ability of the corporation to learn from the business environment. Having a common vision enables the employees to understand the importance of their roles, and eventually systems thinking is natured.  
Jobs, the former CEO of Apple was well known for the numerous mistakes he made, leading to him eventually being fired. Having learned from his past mistakes, he returned to the company, reenergized its personnel, and steered the company for greatness. Often, during product releases, Jobs would refer to competitors’ products to single out gaps and identify improvements Apple could make. This approach explains in part why Apple products remain exceptional. During his reign as the CEO, numerous products were released, many of which were captivating to consumers. Many of the products, though, were just replicas of the previous product with some value addition.
Steve Jobs also played a major role in the initiation of Apple Park, otherwise referred to as “The Spaceship,” the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California. The layout structure of the building resembles that of a university, and thus is often referred to as a campus. It has the capacity to hold up to 12,000 Apple employees (Puddu & Zuddas, 2012). The idea of bringing people together under one building was to foster team building, sharing of ideas among people of different specialties, and letting people appreciate the significance of collaboration. Furthermore, the interior design of Apple Park constitutes sections known as pods, to enhance collaboration (Katz, 2018). Such collaboration is significant in the success of the company. 
The current CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, whose character is somewhat different from his predecessor, has also helped to steer the culture of a learning organization within Apple. Right from the start, when he took over the mantle from the ailing Steve Jobs, Cook was under a significant amount of criticism as to whether he would steer the company to Jobs’s level. Some argued that Apple was as good as dead, but Cook took the criticism positively, an attribute that is essential in a learning organization. Some other attributes that are noticeable from the current Apple boss are being able to admit mistakes, listening attentively, and considering others’ concerns. Furthermore, Cook has been able to maintain the management culture that his predecessor established, signifying that Cook was an excellent student of Steve Jobs.
Apple’s goals and objectives exhibit the SMART goal framework. Despite the diverse business opportunities that Apple has ventured into, most, if not all, of its objectives have been attained. The major focus of Apple is on personal computers, handsets, and computer peripherals. This focus justifies the property of their goals being specific. Another notable specific goal from Apple pertains to customer satisfaction (Mollah, 2015). User experience is the priority for Apple products. The products from the company are specified in numbers, shipping quantities, and value. The resources and expertise available at Apple ensure that the set objectives are attainable. Product development at Apple has a clear set timeframe from the beginning of the product development to completion and finally launch. This demonstration of the SMART goal framework illustrates that Apple is a learning organization.The learning process in Apple cuts across all levels, ranging from the management to the development teams. As observed, the CEO has demonstrated an aspect of learning in various instances, as do the employees. Team members on a similar project can interact freely within their respective pods. Apple is not only a tech company, but it is also an enormously entrepreneurial company, with significant wealth. Apple University provides training to Apple staff members on various aspects such as innovation and entrepreneurship.
Apple is well known for...