Methodological Change: A Relational Reconceptualization of Organizational Learning

In this chapter, methodological relationism is explained as a theoretical meta-construct for a methodological shift in organizational learning theory. After elucidating the three main meta-constructs (individualism, holism, and relationism), arguments are made to define the existing mainstream organizational learning literature as methodologically individualistic. It is argued that organizational learning as relational governance requires a methodological shift towards relationism. This methodological shift would imply a shift from cognitive to relational learning and from a substantialist to a relationist view of organizational learning.