Case studies of organisations with established learning cultures

The research reported in this publication set out to explore how the concept of a learning culture or a commitment to learning is currently understood by Australian organisations. As well, the research investigated the approaches and strategies that organisations with an expressed interest in achieving a learning culture had used to establish and maintain such a culture. The report first offers an overview of the literature and case studies of six organisations which are seen as having a learning culture orientation. A cross-case comparative analysis provides insights into the conditions, strategies and approaches which have contributed to the growth of orientation to learning and the building of learning cultures. The results of the study indicate that development and maintenance of a learning culture is a response to organisational needs for enhanced production or service provision rather than a more specific response to policy initiatives related to skill formation.