Organizational unlearning as a process: What we know, what we don’t know, what we should know

Adrian Klammer (), Thomas Grisold (), Nhien Nguyen () and Shih-wei Hsu ()
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Adrian Klammer: University of Liechtenstein
Thomas Grisold: University of St. Gallen
Nhien Nguyen: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Shih-wei Hsu: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Management Review Quarterly, 2025, vol. 75, issue 3, No 8, 2147-2171

Abstract: Abstract Although the field of organizational unlearning has recently gained increased interest, its conceptual foundations and raison d’être are still debated. In this review, we aim to revisit various discourses and arguments to advance the understanding of organizational unlearning in management and organization studies. Using an integrative literature review approach with systematic elements, we examine the existing body of research on organizational unlearning. We review the literature from different perspectives, focusing on a process-based understanding in terms of why and how organizations intentionally discard knowledge. Based on our review, we develop an integrative framework that portrays organizational unlearning as a dynamically unfolding process over time. We propose implications and offer research directions that will allow future researchers to develop a more profound understanding of the concept.

Keywords: Organizational unlearning; Unlearning; Unlearning process; Knowledge loss; Literature review; Integrative literature review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D83 L20 M10 O30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s11301-024-00430-3

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