TY - JOUR

T1 - Action Errors, Error Management, and Learning in Organizations

AU - Frese, Michael

AU - Keith, Nina

PY - 2015/1/1

Y1 - 2015/1/1

N2 - Every organization is confronted with errors. Most errors are corrected easily, but some may lead to negative consequences. Organizations often focus on error prevention as a single strategy for dealing with errors. Our review suggests that error prevention needs to be supplemented by error management-an approach directed at effectively dealing with errors after they have occurred, with the goal of minimizing negative and maximizing positive error consequences (examples of the latter are learning and innovations). After defining errors and related concepts, we review research on error-related processes affected by error management (error detection, damage control). Empirical evidence on positive effects of error management in individuals and organizations is then discussed, along with emotional, motivational, cognitive, and behavioral pathways of these effects. Learning from errors is central, but like other positive consequences, learning occurs under certain circumstances-one being the development of a mind-set of acceptance of human error.

AB - Every organization is confronted with errors. Most errors are corrected easily, but some may lead to negative consequences. Organizations often focus on error prevention as a single strategy for dealing with errors. Our review suggests that error prevention needs to be supplemented by error management-an approach directed at effectively dealing with errors after they have occurred, with the goal of minimizing negative and maximizing positive error consequences (examples of the latter are learning and innovations). After defining errors and related concepts, we review research on error-related processes affected by error management (error detection, damage control). Empirical evidence on positive effects of error management in individuals and organizations is then discussed, along with emotional, motivational, cognitive, and behavioral pathways of these effects. Learning from errors is central, but like other positive consequences, learning occurs under certain circumstances-one being the development of a mind-set of acceptance of human error.

KW - Management studies

KW - Business psychology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84964306167&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1146/annurev-psych-010814-015205

DO - 10.1146/annurev-psych-010814-015205

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 25251490

VL - 66

SP - 661

EP - 687

JO - Annual Review of Psychology

JF - Annual Review of Psychology

SN - 0066-4308

ER -