University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

From organisational learning to social learning: a tale of two organisations in the Murray-Darling Basin

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 22:07 authored by Mitchell, M
In this paper, I compare reflections from my action research engagements with two Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) natural resource management (NRM) organisations, Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) and Murray Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in NSW, Australia. My engagement with MI (2005-2007) coincided with the most extreme years of the extended Millennial Drought. The research engagement with Murray CMA (2009-2012) occurred as the Millennial Drought ended, and coincided with the 2010-2011 floods and local community anger over plans to reduce irrigation allocations in the MDB. Both organisations were also undergoing cultural change inspired by concerted efforts to promote widespread staffparticipation in evaluation, reflection and learning. While I observed considerable organisational learning at MI, staffrecounted constraints on making substantial advances towards sustainable water use practices across the MDB because of limitations on MI's sphere of influence. Murray CMA, on the other hand, was charged with the development of a 'whole-of-community' strategic plan. This required the development of organisational strategies that achieved both organisational change and the creation of opportunities for broader social learning. Murray CMA's recognition of the importance of the social dimension is a critical element of the 'double-loop' learning that I argue enabled a transformation of the organisation's culture.

History

Publication title

Rural Society

Volume

22

Pagination

230-241

ISSN

1037-1656

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Publisher

eContent Management Pty Ltd

Place of publication

Australia

Rights statement

Copyright eContent Management 2013

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Institutional arrangements

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC