Competing through Knowledge: Building a Learning Organisation (Response Books) [Hardcover]

Madhukar Shukla (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997 | ISBN-10: 0803993889 | ISBN-13: 978-0803993884

In todayÆs turbulent business environment, the conventional bases of competitive strategy are increasingly being eroded. In such an environment, the ability to generate and acquire new knowledge is becoming an essential prerequisite for success. This emerging paradigm of business treats knowledge and learning as the singular basis not only for competitive success, but also for corporate survival. Most books on the subject adopt either one of two mutually exclusive approachesùthe first places emphasis on learning as an activity internal to the organization, while the second views learning as a resource to be leveraged by the organization. In Competing Through Knowledge, the first to emanate from India on the subject, Dr. Madhukar Shukla integrates both these approaches and focuses not only on how organizations learn, but also on how they can (and do) use knowledge and learning as strategic weapons to transform their operating paradigms. Beginning with a discussion on the radical changes taking place in the Indian business environment and the need for Indian organizations to develop learning capabilities, the first part of the book provides a framework to understand the dynamics of knowledge-based competition. The second part details six case studies of organizations that have encouraged learning and have utilized knowledge as a competitive asset. Generalizing from these cases, which also serve as benchmarks, the third and last part discusses the architecture of a learning organization and the qualitative shift required in the organization paradigm. Illustrating the ideas and concepts with real-life examples and case studies, including several from India, this book demonstrates the applicability of the new paradigm of the learning organization in the changing Indian business environment. This extremely readable book will appeal to CEOs, practicing managers, human resource professionals, and management consultants. It will also serve as supplementary reading for courses on the learning organization, strategic management, and organizational change.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 334 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications Pvt. Ltd (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803993889
• ISBN-13: 978-0803993884
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,361,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Guide to Managing Learning Times, April 2, 2000

By 

Gautam Ghosh "voracious reader" (Bangalore, India) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Competing through Knowledge: Building a Learning Organisation (Response Books) (Hardcover)

Dr. Madhukar Shukla has been referred to as the "indian guru of the learning organisation" and in this book he shows why. Drawing on the theories of giants, he builds up a case for managing in the times when the capital (the K in economics) is Knowledge and vastly different from the traditional capital. As an entity knowledge is tacit and proprietary and as it becomes more explicit it becomes freely available. It is Dr. Shukla's contention that like truth, "knowledge will out" and it makes no sense for organizations to try to put locks on its mobility. Why like truth?...knowledge is truth!

With the examples of case studies of organisations like ABB, British Airways, GE, Citicorp and Xerox , Dr. Shukla shows us how successful corporations around the world are recognising this fact and are trying innovative ways to leverage this capital for competitive advantage...to turnaround themselves, to transform and to innovate.

What makes this book doubly enjoyable, is that it steers as clear of dobbledegook management jargon as much as possible..and when the author has to resort to jargon, they are suitably explained in lay terms. Coupled with examples strewn throughout the book, the often esoteric theories start to make startling sense and sock you between the eye. This book is a must read to all professionals and management people of all hues!

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy to understand book on a confusing subject, April 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Competing Through Knowledge: Building a Learning Organization (Paperback)

This book looks at how knowledge is fast becoming
the weapon to fight the next wave of corporate wars and how
companies can offset this by creating an ability for learning