Argyris+and+Schön

__ THE THEORISTS __ __﻿__ Argyris and Schön Daft and Weick Fiol and Lyles Levitt and March **ARGYRIS AND SCHÖ N **


 * = //Summary of Theory// || //Examples// ||
 * Some key ideas from these Argyris and Schön:

There is a **connection between inquiry and learning**. They define inquiry as "a cyclical process of questioning, data collection, reflection, and action" (Collinson and Cook, 2007, p.17). Through this process, organizations detect and correct **errors** in their way of doing things. By error, Argyris and Schön mean a "mismatch between plan or intention and what actually happened" (Argyris, 1999, as cited in Collinson and Cook, 2007, p.17).

The difference between espoused theories-of-action and theories-in-use. **Espoused theories-of-action** are the spoken assumptions about how an organization will act. This might include Ford Motors' old motto, "Quality is job 1." **Theories-in-use** are the actual assumptions that are reflected in an organzation's actions. In the case of Ford, this might include a commitment to profit over quality, leading to less reliability (and the joke that Ford is short for "Found On Road Dead").

Finally, Argyris and Schön identify a difference between single-loop and double-loop learning. **Single-loop learning** occurs when an organization detects an error and takes steps to correct it **(a behavioral change)**, but does so without changing the norms that led to the error in the first place. **Double-loop learning** is when an organization corrects an error, then examines what caused the error (an inconsistency between their espoused theories-of-action and their theories-in-use). With double-loop learning, an organization changes its presuppositions and/or goals **(cognitive change)**, || Here is an example of single-loop learning. media type="youtube" key="2taViFH_6_Y" height="313" width="381"

They recognize that the Earth is warming (error). They take action to correct it (ice cube). However, the production of greenhouse gases continues (underlying norm does not change).

An example of the difference between espoused theories-of-action and theories-in-use might be a church community with a sign in front that says "All Are Welcome." The congregation likely believes this to be the case, and views themselves as a warm and welcoming community. However, on Sunday morning newcomers can usually be found sitting by themselves in church, not having been welcomed by anyone. The **espoused theory-of-action** is that all are welcome; the **theory-in-use** is that visitors are not to be welcomed at all.

If a congregational leader tells everyone to wear their name tags and be friendly, they might change their behavior (**single-loop learning**). But it would take a sustained conversation about the nature of welcome and its role in the church's mission before the community changed its understanding and truly embraced the change (**double-loop learning**). || THE CORE ASSUMPTIONS SIX CONDITIONS BACK TO HOME