Learning in Action: a Guide to Putting the Learning Organization to Work - Book Review

AORN Journal, Feb, 2004 by Lesley J. Henderson

David A. Garvin 2000, 272 pages $29.95 hardcover

This interesting book explores methods and strategies for implementing change through knowledge in the workplace. Early in the book, the author does a good job of giving file reader basic information about how education works and how people learn. He then builds on this foundation by devoting a separate section to each type of leaning and its importance to the overall conversion of a corporate environment to a learning environment.

The book is well organized and provides interesting perspectives on learning in a corporate setting. One of the book's strongest features is the presentation of mealy interesting examples from diverse large organizations. The examples alone make the book worth reading. The last section of the book is a primer for managers on implementing new programs and strategies that will ensure a successful transition.

Managers will be quick to recognize familiar problems that the author addresses. For many scenarios, he presents solutions along with a description of the reasons those solutions worked or did not work mid which situational changes might have produced different outcomes.

This book clearly is intended for a business audience. Although there is no longer any question that health care is a business, the author does not specifically mention that industry. This intriguing book is most useful to those on the business side of health care or those seeking to move in that direction.

This book is available from Harvard Business School Publishing, Customer Service, 60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163, http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu.

LESLEY J. HENDERSON

RN, MSN, CNOR

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

STATE UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA CARROLLTON, GA