Research Article Published 23 January 2018

Learning Organization, Strategy Adoption and Knowledge Transfer as Factors for Improving Performance of Higher Education Institutions: A Literature Review

How to Cite

How to Cite

S. Habtoor, A., Ahmad Arshad, D., & Hassan, H. (2018). Learning Organization, Strategy Adoption and Knowledge Transfer as Factors for Improving Performance of Higher Education Institutions: A Literature Review. Journal of Business Management and Accounting, 8(1), 85-103. https://doi.org/10.32890/jbma2018.8.1.8800
Ammar S. Habtoor
School of Business Management, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
Darwina Ahmad Arshad
School of Business Management, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
Hazlinda Hassan
School of Business Management, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
Full text
PDF View full text 859 KB · 19 pages XML JATS full text 103 KB · machine readable HTML Read online 60 KB
DOI 10.32890/jbma2018.8.1.8800 Cite this article
Share this article
Citations
10 +1 · 2026
OpenAlex, highest of the sources checked
Reads
469 +2
Abstract + full text
Downloads
458 +1
PDF and XML
Percentile
89th
By citations, works of the same year

Article

Abstract

Learning organization plays an important role in improving organizational performance. It is well-known from various sectors that this variable plays a significant role in enhancing the performance of various organizations and is used for promoting effective competitive advantage. Although there are many studies in this area of management, very few studies are available on Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The objective of this study is to review the literature on learning organization and its relationship with organizational performance. In addition, the study reviews the literature on strategy adoption and knowledge transfer as they are also ascribed to the improvement of organizational performance. Hence, there are relationships between strategy adoption and knowledge transfer and organizational performance. Finally, the study makes a conclusion based on previous studies on the relationship among the variables and recommends that empirical studies use moderating and mediating variables between learning organization and organizational performance improvement in the HEI setting.

Keywords
Learning organization strategy adoption knowledge transfer organizational performance HEIs

Metrics & impact

Citations by source

Harvested 08-09-2026

Counts differ by index because each source crawls a different corpus. Crossref counts only registered reference lists; Google Scholar includes theses, preprints and grey literature.

OpenAlex
10
Open corpus, updated daily View →
OpenCitations
4
Open references only View →
Crossref
4
Deposited reference lists only View →
Scopus
0 Not indexed
Indexed titles only View →
Google Scholar
Publishes no citation count that can be read automatically.
Includes theses and preprints Search →
Dimensions
Publishes no citation count that can be read automatically.
Includes policy documents Search →

Citations over time

New citations recorded in each year, as reported by OpenAlex.

1
3
4
1
1
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Reads & downloads

Abstract views 469
PDF downloads 458
XML downloads 0
Full-text HTML 0
Counted under COUNTER Release 5 rules; known robots excluded.

Attention beyond citation

Citation percentile 89th
Field-weighted citation impact 0.86
Works this article cites 74

From OpenAlex. A field-weighted impact of 1.00 is the world average for work of the same field, type and year. No Altmetric key is configured, so news, policy and social attention are not shown.

Identifiers
DOI · 10.32890/jbma2018.8.1.8800
OpenAlex · W4318716268

References

References 93
Deposited to Crossref with the article DOI
  1. Akhtar, S., Arif, A., Rubi, E., & Naveed, S. (2011). Impact of organizational learning on organizational performance: Study of higher education institutes. International Journal of Academic Research, 3(5), 327–331.
  2. Albino, A. C. G., & Gorgoglione, M. (2004). Organization and technology in knowledge transfer. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 11(6), 584–600.
  3. Ali, A. K. (2012). Academic staff’s perceptions of characteristics of learning organization in a higher learning institution. International Journal of Educational Management, 26(1), 55–82.
  4. Alipour, F., Idris, K., Ismail, I. A., Uli, J. A., & Karimi, R. (2011). Learning organization and organizational performance : Mediation Role of Intrapreneurship. European Journal of Social Sciences, 21(4), 547–555.
  5. Alipour, F., Idris, K., & Karimi, R. (2011). Knowledge creation and transfer: Role of learning organization. International Journal of Business Administration, 2(3), 61–67.
  6. Alipour, F., & Karimi, R. (2011). Mediation role of innovation and knowledge transfer in the relationship between learning organization and organizational performance. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2(19), 144–148.
  7. Ansoff, H. I., & McDonnell, E. J. (1990). Implanting strategic management. New York: Prentice Hall.
  8. Argote, L., & Ingram, P. (2000). Knowledge transfer: A basis for competitive advantage in firms. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 82(1), 150–169.
  9. Argyris, C., & Schon, D. (1978). Organizational learning: A theory of action perspective. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
  10. Awad, E., & Ghaziri, H. (2004). Knowledge management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
  11. Awasthy, R., & Gupta, R. K. (2012). Dimensions of the learning organization in an Indian context. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 7(3), 222–244.
  12. Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120.
  13. Barrick, M., Thurgood, G., Smith, T. A., & Courtright, S. H. (2014). Collective organizational engagement: Linking motivational antecedents, strategic implementation, and firm level performance. Academy of Management Journal, 58(1), 111–135.
  14. Bates, R., & Khasawneh, S. (2005). Organizational learning culture, learning transfer climate and perceived innovation in Jordanian organizations. International Journal of Training and Development, 9(2), 96–109.
  15. Bavarsad, B., Rahimi, F., & Seyfi, M. (2014). A study of the relationship between organizational learning, strategic flexibility, competitive strategy and firm’s performance. International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Research, 3(3), 198–210.
  16. Davis, D., & Daley, B. J. (2008). The learning organization and its dimensions as key factors in firms’ performance. Human Resource Development International, 11(1), 51–66.
  17. Delfmann, H., & Koster, S. (2012). Knowledge transfer between SMEs and higher education institutions: Differences between universities and colleges of higher education in the Netherlands. Industry and Higher Education, 26(1), 31–42.
  18. Dhanaraj, C., Lyles, M. A, Steensma, H. K., & Tihanyi, L. (2004). Managing tacit and explicit knowledge transfer in IJVs: The role of relational embeddedness and the impact on performance. Journal of International Business Studies, 35(5), 428–442.
  19. Dixon, N. M. (1994). The organizational learning cycle: How we can learn collectively. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  20. Egan, T., Yang, B., & Bartlett, K. (2004). The effects of organizational learning culture and job satisfaction on motivation to transfer learning and turnover intention. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 15(3), 279–301.
  21. Eliufoo, H. K. (2005). Knowledge creation and transfer in construction organisations in Tanzania. (Doctoral dissertation, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden). Retrieved from https://www.kth.se/polopoly_fs/1.173386!/Menu/ general/column-content/attachment/70_thesis.pdf
  22. Ellinger, A. D., Ellinger, A. E., Yang, B., & Howton, S. W. (2002). The relationship between the learning organization concept and firms’ financial performance : An empirical assessment. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 13(1), 5–22.
  23. Garvin, D. A., Edmondson, A. C., & Gino, F. (2008). Is yours a learning organization? Harvard Business Review, 86(3), 109–117.
  24. Genç, N., & İyigün, N. Ö. (2011). The role of organizational learning and knowledge transfer in building strategic alliances: A case study. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 24, 1124–1133.
  25. Gilaninia, S., Ganjinia, H., & Karimi, K. (2013). The relationship between organizational learning and competitive strategies and its impact on performance of business and customer. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 1(3), 54–60.
  26. Grant, R. M. (1991). The resource-based theory of competitive advantage: Implications for strategy formulation. California Management Review, 33(3), 114–135.
  27. Gupta, V., Gollakota, K., & Scrinivasan, R. (2007). Business policy and strategic management: Concepts and applications (2ed ed.). New Delhi: PHI Learning Private Limited.
  28. Guzman, G. A. C., & Wilson, J. (2005). The “soft” dimension of organizational knowledge transfer. Journal of Knowledge Management, 9(2), 59–74.
  29. Habtoor, A. S., Arshad, D. A., & Hassan, H. (2017). The impact of learning organization on knowledge transfer and organizational performance. Journal of Advanced Research Design, 31(1), 1–8.
  30. Hashim, M. K. (2000). Business strategy and performance in Malaysian SMEs: A recent survey. Malaysian Management Review, (2), 1–10.
  31. Hashim, M. K. (2015). Business strategy in Malaysian companies. ASAS NADI SDN BHD. Learning Organization, Strategy Adoption and Knowledge Transfer as Factors for Improving Performance of Higher Education 99 Institutions: A Literature Review 85-
  32. Hernandez, M. (2003). Assessing tacit knowledge transfer and dimensions of a learning environment in Colombian businesses. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 5(2), 215–221.
  33. Hussein, N., Omar, S., Noordin, F., & Ishak, N. A. (2016). Learning organization culture, organizational performance and organizational innovativeness in a public institution of higher education in Malaysia: A preliminary study. Procedia Economics and Finance, 37(16), 512–519.
  34. Islam, M. Z., Hasan, I., & Rahman, M. H. (2015). Factors affecting knowledge transfer in public organization employees. Asian Social Science, 11(4), 223–233.
  35. Jiang, X., & Li, Y. (2008). The relationship between organizational learning and firms’ financial performance in strategic alliances: A contingency approach. Journal of World Business, 43(3), 365–379.
  36. Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2008). Exploring corporate strategy (8th ed.). Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
  37. Karash, R. (1994). Learning-Org dialog on learning organizations. Retrieved from http://www.learning-org.com
  38. Kasim, R. S. R. (2008). The relationship of knowledge management practices, competencies and the organizational performance of government departments in Malaysia. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 2(12), 1252–1258.
  39. Kazemi, M., Moghadam, S. M. R. H., Dehghan, M., & Ghorbanian, M. (2014). The investigation of mediating role of organizational structure and organizational learning in relationship between knowledge management and organizational performance. Applied Mathematics in Engineering, Management and Technology, 2(2), 333–342.
  40. Kettunen, J. (2002). Competitive strategies in higher education. Journal of Institutional Research, 11(2), 38–47.
  41. Kharabsheh, R., Jarrar, K., & Simenonva, B. (2015). The impact of competitive strategies on responsive market orientation, proactive market orientation, learning orientation and organizational performance. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 23(5), 423–435.
  42. Kufaine, N. (2014). Competitive strategies in higher education: Case of universities in Malawi. The International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention, 1(7), 490–499.
  43. Kumar, N., & Idris, K. (2006). An examination of educational institutions’ knowledge performance: Analysis, implications and outlines for future research. The Learning Organization, 13(1), 96–116.
  44. Lalitsasivimol, W. (2014). Learning organization, organizational innovativeness and the performance of small and medium enterprise in Bangkok, Thailand. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia.
  45. Liao, S.-H., & Hu, T.-C. (2007). Knowledge transfer and competitive advantage on environmental uncertainty: An empirical study of the Taiwan semiconductor industry. Technovation, 27(6–7), 402–411.
  46. Lien, Y.-H. B., Hung, Y.-Y. R., Yang, B., & Li, M. (2006). Is the learning organization a valid concept in the Taiwanese context? International Journal of Manpower, 27(2), 189–203.
  47. Marquardt, M. J. (1996). Building the learning organization: A systems approach to quantum improvement and global success. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  48. Marquardt, M. J. (2002). Building the learning organization: Mastering the 5 elements for corporate learning (2nd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black Publishing.
  49. Mathooko, F. M., & Ogutu, M. (2014). Coping strategies adopted by public universities in Kenya in response to environmental changes. Journal of Management and Strategy, 5(1), 93–107.
  50. Mcalister, L., Srinivasan, R., Jindal, N., & Cannella, A. A. (2016). Advertising effectiveness: The moderating effect of firm strategy. Journal of Marketing Research, 53(2), 207–224.
  51. McHargue, S. K. (1999). Dimensions of the learning organization as determinants of organizational performance in nonprofit organizations. (Doctoral dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (304518332).
  52. Mellat-Parast, M., Golmohammadi, D., McFadden, K. L., & Miller, J. W. (2015). Linking business strategy to service failures and financial performance: Empirical evidence from the U.S. domestic airline industry. Journal of Operations Management, 38, 14–24.
  53. Muizer, A. (2003). Knowledge transfer. In Entrepreneurship in the Netherlands: Knowledge transfer: Developing high-tech ventures (pp. 21–36). Amsterdam: Ministry of Economic Affairs.
  54. Musasizi, Y. (2010). Expatriate capabilities, knowledge transfer, competitive advantage and financial performance of foreign direct investments in the Ugandan service sector. (Master’s thesis, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda). Retrieved from https://www.mak.ac.ug/documents/Makfiles/theses/FinalDissertationYUNIA. pdf
  55. Muthanna, A., & Karaman, A. C. (2014). Higher education challenges in Yemen: Discourses on English teacher education. International Journal of Educational Development, 37, 40–47.
  56. Nandakumar, M. K., Ghobadian, A., & O’Regan, N. (2011). Generic strategies and performance: Evidence from manufacturing firms. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 60(3), 222–251.
  57. Nonaka, I. (1994). A dynamic theory knowledge of organizational creation. Organization Science, 5(1), 14–37.
  58. Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1995). The knowledge-creating company: How Japanese company create the dynamics of innovation. Oxford University Press. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
  59. Noruzy, A., Dalfard, V. M., Azhdari, B., Nazari-Shirkouhi, S., & Rezazadeh, A. (2013). Relations between transformational leadership, organizational learning, knowledge management, organizational innovation, and organizational performance: An empirical investigation of manufacturing firms. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 64(5–8), 1073–1085. Learning Organization, Strategy Adoption and Knowledge Transfer as Factors for Improving Performance of Higher Education 101 Institutions: A Literature Review 85-
  60. O’Regan, N., Kling, G., Ghobadian, A., & Perren, L. (2012). Strategic positioning and grand strategies for high-technology SMEs. Strategic Change, 21, 199–215.
  61. Oltra, M. J., & Flor, M. L. (2010). The moderating effect of business strategy on the relationship between operations strategy and firms’ results. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 30(6), 612–638.
  62. Palacios-Marqués, D., Peris-Ortiz, M., & Merigó, J. M. (2013). The effect of knowledge transfer on firm performance: An empirical study in knowledge-intensive industries. Management Decision, 51(5), 973–985.
  63. Paulin, D., & Suneson, K. (2012). Knowledge transfer, knowledge sharing and knowledge barriers: Three blurry terms in KM. Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management, 10(1), 81–91.
  64. Pearce, J. A., & Robinson, R. B. (2005). Strategic management: Formulation, implementation, and control (9th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
  65. Pedler, M., Burgoyna, J., & Boydell, T. (1997). The larning company: A strategy for sustainable development (2nd Ed). London: McGraw-Hill.
  66. Ponnuswamy, I., & Manohar, H. L. (2014). Impact of learning organization culture on performance in higher education institutions. Studies in Higher Education, 41(1), 21–36.
  67. Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive strategy: Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors. New York: Free Press.
  68. Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. New York: The Free Press.
  69. Porter, M. E. (1996). What is strategy ? Harvard Business Review, 74(6), 61–78.
  70. Pulaj, E., Kume, V., & Cipi, A. (2015). The impact of generic competitive strategies on organizational performance: The evidence from Albanian context. European Scientific Journal, 11(28), 273–321.
  71. Qawasmeh, F. M., & Al-Omari, Z. S. (2013). The learning organization dimensions and their impact on organizational performance: Orange Jordan as a case study. Arab Economic and Business Journal, 8(1–2), 38–52.
  72. Ratna, R., Khanna, K., Jogishwar, N., Khattar, R., & Agarwal, R. (2014). Impact of learning organization on organizational performance in consulting industry. International Journal on Global Business Management and Research (ISSN 2278-8425), 2(2), 54–63.
  73. Rhodes, J., Hung, R., Lok, P., Ya-Hui, B., & Wu, C. M. (2008). Factors influencing organizational knowledge transfer: Implication for corporate performance. Journal of Knowledge Management, 12(3), 84–100.
  74. Salleh, K. (2014). Learning organization and knowledge management: Transfer process of tacit knowledge in public university for academic excellence. Paper presented at the International Conference on Intellectual Capital and Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning, (347-353). ProQuest document (ID 1674840407) UK.
  75. Salleh, K., Chong, S. C., Ahmad, S. N. S., & Ikhsan, S. O. S. (2012). Learning and knowledge transfer performance among public sector accountants: An empirical survey. Knowledge Management Research and Practice, 10(2), 164–174.
  76. Santos-Vijande, M. L., López-Sánchez, J. Á., & Trespalacios, J. A. (2012). How organizational learning affects a firm’s flexibility, competitive strategy, and performance. Journal of Business Research, 65(8), 1079–1089.
  77. Seedee, R. (2012). Moderating role of business strategies on the relationship between best business practices and firm performance. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 3(24), 137–151.
  78. Shiryan, A. (2009). An analysis of the current status of Sana’a university. The University Researcher Journal of Ibb University, 23, 199–238.
  79. Simonin, B. L. (2004). An empirical investigation of the process of knowledge transfer in international strategic alliances. Journal of International Business Studies, 35(5), 407–427.
  80. Supreme Council for Educational Planning. (2014). Education indicators of the Republic of Yemen: Stages and various types for the year 2012 2013. Sana’a: Prime Ministry.
  81. Suryadi, K. (2007). Framework of measuring key performance indicators for decision support in higher education institution. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 3(12), 1689–1695.
  82. Theriou, G. N., Theriou, N. G., & Chatzoglou, P. (2007). The relationship between learning capability and organizational performance : The banking sector in Greec. SPOUDAI-Journal of Economics and Business, 57(2), 9–29.
  83. Wang, X., Yang, B., & McLean, G. N. (2007). Influence of demographic factors and ownership type upon organizational learning culture in Chinese enterprises. International Journal of Training and Development, 11(3), 154–165.
  84. Watkins, K. (2005). What would be different if higher educational institutions were learning organizations? Advances in Developing Human Resources, 7(3), 414–421.
  85. Watkins, K. E., & Marsick, V. J. (1993). Sculpting the learning organization: Lessons in the art and science of systemic change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  86. Watkins, K. E., & Marsick, V. J. (1996). In action: Creating the learning organization. Alexandria, VA: American Society for Training and Development.
  87. Watkins, K. E., & Marsick, V. J. (1999). Facilitating learning organizations: Making learning count. Aldershot, England: Gower Publishing, Ltd.
  88. Watkins, K. E., & O’Neil, J. (2013). The dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire (the DLOQ): A nontechnical manual. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 15(2), 133–147.
  89. Watkins, K., & Marsick, V. (1997). Dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire. Warwick, RI: Partners for the Learning Organization.
  90. Weldy, T. G., & Gillis, W. E. (2010). The learning organization: Variations at different organizational levels. The Learning Organization, 17(5), 455–470.
  91. World Bank. (2010). Republic of Yemen education status report challenges and opportunities. Washington. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank. org/bitstream/handle/10986/18516/571800WP0Yemen10Box353746B01PUBL IC1.pdf?sequence=1 Learning Organization, Strategy Adoption and Knowledge Transfer as Factors for Improving Performance of Higher Education 103 Institutions: A Literature Review 85-
  92. Yang, B., Watkins, K. E., & Marsick, V. J. (2004). The construct of the learning organization : Dimensions, measurement, and validation. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 15(1), 31–55.
  93. Zakaria, N. S., & Hashim, M. K. (2016). Business strategy and performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector. International Journal in Management and Social Science, 4(05), 254–261.

Most read articles by the same author(s)