Dialogue as an Organizational Learning Intervention: Taking a Closer Look at Psychological Barriers

This paper synthesizes conceptual and empirical literature on organizational learning interventions based on dialogue. First, I attempt to delineate the concept of dialogue and to explain its relevance to organizational learning. Examples and arguments in support of dialogic learning initiatives are presented. Organizational realities and individual psychological dispositions which hinder such interventions are subsequently discussed. Even though recognized, individual psychological barriers are rarely explored in research and considered in practice.