Good Thing, Bad Thing: How Do Negative Emotions Encourage Young Professionals' Learning From Errors?

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Where and How Does Learning Occur? Insights From Professions Education and Training

Abstract

The present study explores, among young professionals, the interplay between organization’s error climate, and individual’s emotional experiences, and engagement in (individual and social) learning activities after the occurrence of an error. Our results demonstrate that error strain and professionals’ thinking about errors mediate the relationship between an organization’s error climate and engagement in social learning activities, sequentially. An unexpected finding is that error strain positively relates to professionals’ thinking about errors. This finding suggests that next to relieving unnecessary strain caused by errors, organizations also need to hold professionals accountable for their errors (Edmondson, 2012). This study adds to research by directing our attention to sequential effects of engagement in learning activities performed individually and in social interaction.

Authors

• Laura Smeets, Maastricht University

• Wim H. Gijselaers, Maastricht University

• Roger Meuwissen, Maastricht University

• Therese Grohnert, Maastricht University