THE EFFECT OF LEARNING ORIENTATION IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF ENTERPRISES IN RS

Abstract

This study aims to identify the influence of learning orientation on organizational performance ofenterprises in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. The method employed was a survey of 123 of these enterprises which were mostly classified as small and medium. The data collection instrument was developed using the scale of Learning Orientation developed by Sinkula, Baker and Noordewier (1997), adapted byBaker and Sinkula (1999) and items of organizational performance evaluation proposed by Narver and Slater (1990) and Baker and Sinkula (1999). Correlation Analysis, multiple regression and factor analysis aswell as elaboration of a structural equation model were made. It was found that these enterprises present amoderately high level of learning orientation and organizational performance. It was also noted thatLearning Orientation, in general, presents a positive and significant influence on organizationalperformance. However, more specifically, only the dimension Open Mind of the scale presented astatistically positive significance. The other two dimensions (Commitment to Learning and Shared Vision)had a positive, however not significant, impact.