THE PROCESS OF ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

This study considered the question: “Which are the contributions of environment analysis to organizational learning?” It principiates by means of a literature review that discusses the key concepts and applications related to ways in which learning occurs in organizations. Subsequently, a brief frame concerning to business strategy contextualizes the theoretical and conceptual studies that permeates the discussion of this matter presently. Empirically, a qualitative research was conducted by means of a single case study approach conducted at Petrobras, using interviews . After presenting the history of company and its strategic planning process, the study discusses how managers see their learning when analysing environment. The research reveals that managers see environment analysis as a way to provide learning. They also believe that outcoming learning contributes to company´s performance by improving its management ability. The study provided a first look at the nature and composition of both phenomena - Learning and Strategy - in the context of an organization.