Title of Thesis

The Relationship of Organizational Learning and Competitive Advantage : A Case Study of Petroleum Companies of Pakistan.

Author(s)

Naveed Akhtar

Abstract
Dissertation Title: The Relationship of Organizational Learning and Competitive Advantage: A Case Study of Petroleum Companies of Pakistan
The concept of organizational learning has been the area of attention for academicians, practitioners, and researchers for decades. Organizational developments as a subject realized the significance of cognitive learning and behavioral development; and embraced the idea of ‘learning organization’ because of its potential to create and sustain competitive advantage in an organization. The purpose of the study is to explore the characteristics of a learning organization and examine the relationship of organizational learning and competitive advantage. Knowledge acquired is disseminated through learning in organization. It is noted that the petroleum companies are knowledge intensive and learning oriented, equipped with latest technologies and facing intense competition. In Pakistan, no empirical research work has been done to explore the concept of learning organization to date. Literature review revealed systems thinking, mental models/culture, shared vision/mission, leadership, knowledge/information flow, personal mastery and team learning as antecedents of a learning organization. Survey questionnaire was distributed in all four strata of petroleum companies and in response of 225 questionnaires 170 were received back, out of which 165 were valid. Multiple regression analytic technique was applied to test the hypotheses. Statistical analysis revealed that all chosen characteristics of a learning organization significantly contribute towards achievement of competitive advantage. Shared vision and systems thinking emerged as most significant contributors. This study signifies the impact of learning to achieve competitive advantage and requires the attention of executives and practitioners of organization development. It demands that the concept of learning organization if implemented with strategic intent in petroleum companies of Pakistan can be a sustainable source to develop and prepare organizations to cope up and adapt the environmental changes proactively.

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1.1 The Research Premise
1.2 Purpose of the Study
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Plan of forthcoming Chapters

2.1 Organizational Learning and Learning Organization
2.2 Frameworks of Organizational Learning
2.3 Chapter Summary

3.1 Competitive Advantage
3.2 Competitive Advantage Defined
3.3 Theories of Competitive Advantage
3.4 Connecting Links: OL & Competitive Advantage
3.5 Strategy and Business Performance
3.6 Chapter summary

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4.1 Variables of LO/OL

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5.1 Test of Assumptions
5.2 Research Design
5.3 Sampling Design and Procedure
5.4 Questionnaire Development
5.5 Participants
5.6 Validity and Reliability of the instrument
5.7 Pilot Testing
5.8 Data Collection
5.9 Hypotheses Testing
5.10 Chapter Summary

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6.1 Data Preparation
6.2 Validity and Reliability Assessment
6.3 Demographic Analysis
6.4 Descriptive Analysis
6.5 Hypothesis Testing
6.6 Multiple Regression Analysis of OLCA-Model
6.7 Chapter Summary

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7.1 Analysis and Discussion of the Research Results
7.2 Chapter Summary

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8.1 Conclusions
8.2 Recommendations
8.3 Limitations of the Study
8.4 Future Research Areas
8.5 Managerial Implications

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