Organizational Learning

The purpose of this study was to explore the link between organizational learning processes of knowledge acquisition, transfer and utilization and the performance of the Malaysian aviation industry. The study was guided by three research questions: 1) How was knowledge acquired in the manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft? 2) How was the acquired knowledge transferred and shared within the organizations? 3) In what ways were the knowledge utilized by the aeronautical engineers and technicians? A qualitative research design employing the case study method was used in conducting the study. Three case sites made up of two aircraft manufacturing organizations and one maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft facility were chosen. Eleven respondents were selected in the study using the snowballing technique. The selection of the respondents was based on the following criteria: i) they have aeronautical engineering background; ii) they were recipients of the knowledge and iii) they were involved in the transfer of the knowledge gained. Aeronautical engineers and technicians formed the core of the participating respondents.