Competitive Advantage Through Diversity

How can organizations foster the innovation and learning so central to their survival and success? This stimulating and accessible book argues that effective organization is the process of collaborative learning - drawing on and developing the capacity of every member of an organization to 'know beyond' existing parameters and experience. In this context organizational diversity is not a disadvantage to be overcome but a key resource facilitating creativity and learning.

Part One focuses on people. It explores the range of contributions and knowledge that different individuals and groups bring to organizations and the importance of appreciating and working with diversity. The second part is concerned with joint practice. Innovation will only occur when diverse individuals work successfully in teams and can learn from the results of their actions. The principles of effective team working are examined including the interaction of context, tasks, team roles and processes. Finally, the authors consider knowing and learning as organizational process. They present their model of this process including the role of information technology. They also address the crucial need to encourage individual development, and to create conditions within which learning and innovation can flourish throughout an organization.