Emerging from Darkness: Organizational Learning from Failure, Modifying the 4i P Framework
38 Pages Posted: 2 Mar 2009
Date Written: February 28, 2009
Abstract
Traditionally research on organizational learning has focused on learning from success however; failure also plays an important role in learning. But, organizations have different propensities to learn from failure as both organizational heterogeneity and politics in organizations influence lessons that are drawn from failure. While different forms of power are connected with each learning process, there are differences based on organization characteristics, which impacts how they process information regarding a failure. This paper examines why some organizations are more likely to be repeat offenders while others learn from failure. In order for organizations to draw permanent lessons from their errors, there needs to be other learning process- investigation, creativity, and intelligence- which have hitherto not been part of the 4I P framework of organizational learning.
Keywords: Organization learning, competitive advantage
JEL Classification: L10, M10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation