How to Learn Process-Oriented Thinking: An Experimental Investigation of the Effectiveness of Different Learning Modes

We examine the effectiveness of different learning modes in a process management context. We argue that many organizations will undergo a transformation from a function to a process orientation and that learning matters in this context, as a fundamental change in thinking is required. Using a questionnaire experiment with a sample of 147 participants, we found a significant influence of learning modes on the general success of learning process-oriented thinking. We observe that learning-by-doing is more effective than using documented knowledge. We raise awareness of the less studied underlying variables influencing the success of learning process-oriented thinking.