Organizational learning: A cross-national pilot-test of effectiveness in children's services

This research evaluates the impact of organizational learning on the effectiveness of after-school programs offered to children at risk in Israel and the US. The study uses a quasi-experimental, longitudinal design to assess outcomes for program staff, organizational empowerment and children's behavior. The findings indicate that improvements in organizational learning occurred at the treatment sites but not at the control sites. There was also a significant positive association between scores on the Organizational Learning scale and measures of job satisfaction and empowerment among the staffs. The findings for children were confirmed for the US programs but did not hold for the Israel programs. Further implications for policy and administration are discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.