Transforming hotels into learning organisations: a new strategy for going global

Abstract

Organisational learning and the learning organisation are concepts that have attracted a considerable amount of attention over the last two decades. This paper provides an analysis and evaluation of the main perspectives on organisational learning, particularly in relation to hotels as service sector organisations. The issues involved are an evaluation of the transformation process of a hospitality organisation and the key success factors to becoming a learning organisation in order to develop and maintain a competitive advantage within the global challenge. It identifies the issues which appear to be of prime importance when introducing organisational learning into hotels. The focus of this paper will be on the key points of the Turkish tourism sector's strengths and weaknesses in the adventure of becoming a learning organisation. Following of a literature review within which different characteristics of the service sector will be summarised learning organisation issues pertaining to Turkey will be discussed. This paper aims to discover future opportunities for the sustainable development of Turkish Tourism. However, this paper also maintains that, although organisational learning may be an important factor in building an organisation's competitiveness, by itself, it cannot guarantee success in today's fiercely competitive markets.