The Effect of Organizational Learning on Improving Organizational Effectiveness: The Mediating Role of Operational Flexibility

Organizational learning (OL) is a crucial factor in enhancing organizational effectiveness in dynamic and unstable work environments, with particular significance in the healthcare sector. Despite the abundance of research on the influence of organizational learning on organizational effectiveness (OE), empirical studies focusing on operational flexibility (OF) in the healthcare sector, especially in hospitals, remain scarce. This study aims to propose a model that illustrates the impact of organizational learning on organizational effectiveness in the healthcare sector through operational flexibility as a mediating variable. Data were collected using a questionnaire from a sample of 341 respondents across all public hospitals in Taiz City, Yemen. The collected data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (SMART PLS 4). The results of the study revealed that organizational learning has a direct positive effect on organizational effectiveness. Additionally, operational flexibility plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between organizational learning and organizational effectiveness, highlighting the crucial role of operational flexibility as a mediator. This study provides a novel contribution to the academic literature by presenting an innovative theoretical model that enhances the understanding of how organizational learning influences organizational effectiveness through operational flexibility. The findings encourage further academic research in this area and offer practical insights for decision-makers and policymakers in the healthcare sector. Hospitals and healthcare institutions in similar environments can benefit from these findings to develop strategies that contribute to achieving sustainable organizational effectiveness.