An analysis of the Zone of Proximal Development as a practicable learning theory of organizational culture in the workplace
Abstract
This study analyzes and tests Lev Vygotsky's theory of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) as a practicable learning model of organizational culture in the workplace. The ZPD poses a possible clarifying theory of the individual internalization of organizational culture in the workplace that enhances current theories of organizational assimilation and learning. Qualitative methods were quantified to test this theory using five categories of organizational culture and a 4-stage model created by Roland Tharp and Ronald Gallimore presented in their book Rousing Minds to Life (1988) to organize a 30-question survey that was administered to a representative sample of employees at a large global security company. Responses were treated using Pearson r to determine that while the descriptive statistics showed a support of the stages of the ZPD, the correlation against independent variables (experience, supervisory responsibility, sex, education level) showed varying associations revealing that more variables are influencing cultural learning in the workplace.
Subject Area
Communication|Organization Theory
Recommended Citation
Gonzalez, Patricia Ann, "An analysis of the Zone of Proximal Development as a practicable learning theory of organizational culture in the workplace" (2011). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI1494349.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1494349