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Challenges of organizational learning: perpetuation of discrimination against employees with disabilities
Author(s) -
Wooten Lynn Perry,
James Erika Hayes
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/bsl.630
Subject(s) - learning disability , qualitative research , organizational learning , psychology , qualitative property , public relations , knowledge management , sociology , computer science , political science , developmental psychology , social science , machine learning
This article examines why organizations struggle with learning how to prevent discrimination against their employees with disabilities. To explore this issue, qualitative archival data were collected and analyzed from 53 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuits filed against 44 organizations. Theoretical analysis of the qualitative data suggests that several organizationally based learning theories explain the difficulty organizations have with creating a disability‐friendly work environment. These barriers to learning are embedded in complex defense mechanisms and discriminatory organizational routines. Furthermore, organizations have difficulties engaging in higher‐order and vicarious learning. We conclude the article with examples of successful learning practices as they relate to barriers identified in the qualitative analysis. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.