Learning by Expanding challenges traditional theories of learning as mere acquisition and reorganization of cognitive structures. Yrjö Engeström proposes an innovative theory of expansive learning, arguing that existing models are insufficient for complex social change and the creation of novel artifacts. This book offers a foundation for understanding and designing learning as a transformative process within human activities and organizations. The second edition includes a new introduction detailing the theory's development and implementation.

This seminal text is recognized for its significant contribution to the field of learning theory, particularly its development of expansive learning as a framework for understanding complex change. The book is noted for its theoretical depth and its practical implications for organizational development and the design of learning processes. Scholars in sociology, psychology, and education have engaged with Engeström's work, appreciating its challenge to conventional learning paradigms. The inclusion of a new introduction in the second edition further solidifies its relevance by tracing the evolution and application of his influential ideas.