Title: HOW ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING OCCURS THROUGH ACADEMIC QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (AQIP) ACTION PROJECTS: A COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Researchers cite the ability of an organization to acquire and use knowledge as an advantage in today's competitive environment. Although studies of organizational learning have been conducted in the context of business, governmental entities, and health care, little is known about how organizational learning occurs within institutions of higher education. Recent steps taken by the Higher Learning Commission to introduce an alternative accreditation process, the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), could stimulate interest in organizational learning in institutions of higher education.

The purpose of this study was to examine how organizational learning occurred at a community college through the activities of AQIP teams engaged in solving institutional issues. A qualitative case study design was used to examine how the institution acquired knowledge, distributed information, interpreted information, and stored it for future use by the organization.

Case study narratives were developed for six AQIP teams and subcommittees. Through a cross-case analysis, themes emerged to form a holistic understanding of how organizational learning occurred through AQIP projects.

AQIP teams acquired knowledge internally through an organizational appraisal and externally by examining best practices of other institutions. Internal knowledge acquisition strategies included surveys, grafting, focus groups, informal feedback, pilots, and performance monitoring. External strategies included surveys, environmental scanning, literature review, online searches, and contacts with state and national organizations.

Information sharing focused on the college community, decision-makers, stakeholders, and between steering teams and subcommittees. The intranet was used to guarantee all employees access to accurate and timely information, although employees developed an understanding of the teams' work in numerous ways including emails, the college newsletter, reports at meetings, informal discussions with team members, and by participating in surveys. The organization stored information for future use on the intranet, in processes and documents, and individual's roles.