Is it possible to improve social workers’ program planning capability through organizational learning strategy?

Abstract

This study investigates the applicability of organizational learning in non-profit human service organizations for the management of outcome-based programs. The focus of this study was the organizational learning level of J Agency and the enhancement of outcome-based program planning capacity through organizational learning. The organizational learning conducted at J Agency consisted of training and consulting sessions to establish an outcome-based program management system by enhancing the capacity level of social workers. The result of this study shows the organizational learning level of J Agency being lower than other corporations or public organizations, but the program planning capacity through education and consulting to have enhanced positively. Social workers acquired program planning, management, and evaluation knowledge through the learning strategy of training and consulting, and shared and spread it at the team and organizational level. This organizational learning strategy contributed to improving the program planning capacity of social workers, and it can be confirmed that it is useful as an organizational management strategy of non-profit human service organizations.