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Organizational unlearning

School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas, ewktsang{at}utdallas.edu

Shaker A. Zahra

Strategic Management & Organization Department, Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, zahra004{at}umn.edu

Organizational unlearning is widely considered an important condition for successful adaptation to environmental changes, promoting organizational learning and enhancing a firm's performance. Yet, organizational unlearning has received scant attention in the literature, making theory building difficult. This article defines and clarifies the meaning of organizational unlearning, distinguishes it from organizational learning, articulates its dimensions and discusses ways organizations can unlearn.

Key Words: organizational change • organizational learning • organizational memory • organizational routines • organizational unlearning

Human Relations, Vol. 61, No. 10, 1435-1462 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0018726708095710


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