Learning from error: The influence of error incident characteristics

This study investigates the influence of error incident characteristics on organizational learning among operators in the chemical process industry. The study asks operators to describe recently occurred error incidents at time 0 ( n = 87), followed up by measurements for learning 6 weeks later ( n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of business research 2009, Vol.62 (1), p.115-122
Main Authors: Homsma, Gert J., Van Dyck, Cathy, De Gilder, Dick, Koopman, Paul L., Elfring, Tom
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemical industry
Chemical process industries
Communication
Communication about errors
Employees
Error
Error consequences
Errors
Learning
Learning from error
Learning from error Error consequences Communication about errors
Organizational analysis
Organizational learning
Studies
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Summary:This study investigates the influence of error incident characteristics on organizational learning among operators in the chemical process industry. The study asks operators to describe recently occurred error incidents at time 0 ( n = 87), followed up by measurements for learning 6 weeks later ( n = 48). Organizations learn more from error incidents with more severe consequences. Severity of consequences relates positively to learning. When consequences are more severe, communication about an error is higher. Communication is subsequently related to learning. Error incidents without imminent negative consequences, however, can also be a platform for learning. This research recommends attention towards the promotion of learning from conditions that do not necessarily encourage employees to learn.
ISSN:0148-2963
1873-7978
DOI:10.1016/j.jbusres.2007.12.003