LEARNING COMPANY – FORMULA FOR THE 21. CENTURY

Changes occurring in the environment and affecting the business process along with the changes in the company itself have nowadays become a constant. Companies are constantly looking for ways to get business done quicker, with lower costs and increased quality. In order to achieve such results it is important to acquire new skills and knowledge, as well as to improve the already existing ones. The learning company creates a climate that stimulates its members to learn and develop potentials. The learning company is a special business philosophy directed towards creating a company that is employee-oriented, enabling every employee to participate in the problem-solving process. In order to transforma conventional company into a learning company, it is important to transform the organizational structure towards a more horizontal one. The employees have to be empowered according to the level of the flexibility of the organization. It is also important to follow the disciplines of the learning company, especially those concerning teamwork and system thinking. In the transformation process the efficient leadership is very important in helping to build the common vision, initiating changes and motivating employees towards the learning process.Transition economy companies, including companies in Croatia must adapt to environmental changes in order to survive. To achieve that it is necessary to intensify investment in knowledge, which has become the major source of competitive advantages and afactor that creates the newly added value. Therefore Croatian, as well as other transition economy companies must become well acquainted with the learning company concept, aswell as with the guidelines how to implement it. It is important that these companies take recommended steps to strengthen the intellectual capital and transform themselves into learning companies.