Learning and innovation

From RAWorkbook

Learning and innovation - Learning involves the comparison of mental models with data and information from the world. At least two types of learning have been described: incremental and transformational. Incremental learning can occur when information and data are used to evaluate ongoing plans, models and policies. Ongoing monitoring programs can be used to evaluate whether proposed management actions are achieving desired goals. In this case, the underlying mental model or scheme is fixed. Transformational learning occurs when underlying models, schema or paradigms change. This type of learning occurs after an environmental crisis, where policy failure is undeniable. It requires innovation in the form of development of new ideas, models and policies. Transformational learning is also described as evolutionary learning where not just new models or schema are developed, but also new paradigmatic structures that lead to new sets of policies or management actions.