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Article
Does the Learning Value of Individual Failure Experience Depend on Group Level Success? Insights from a University Technology Transfer Office
Industrial and Corporate Change
  • Yanfeng ZHENG, University of Hong Kong
  • Anne S. MINER, University of Wisconsin Madison
  • Gerard GEORGE, Singapore Management University
Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2-2013
Abstract

This study proposes that individual failure experience in organizations induces useful learning at the individual and group levels because it reveals valuable information and spurs actions. However, the value of individual failure experience depends on the level of group success experience. Specifically, group contemporary success experience and group congenital success experience will enhance the learning value of individual failure experience. Each type of higher level of group success experience provides useful experience pools (library effect), offers contrasts that are crucial for causal inferences (contrast effect), and motivates the focal individuals and the group to learn (motivation effect), albeit through distinct microprocesses. We test our theory with an event history analysis of the first licensing agreements for 778 lead patents granted to a major university technology transfer organization between 1971 and 1999, and find support for our theory. Our study presents an integrated model for organizational learning that involves internal failure and success across levels, and offers a framework for multilevel internal learning from experience.

Identifier
10.1093/icc/dtt003
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/icc/dtt003
Citation Information
Yanfeng ZHENG, Anne S. MINER and Gerard GEORGE. "Does the Learning Value of Individual Failure Experience Depend on Group Level Success? Insights from a University Technology Transfer Office" Industrial and Corporate Change Vol. 22 Iss. 6 (2013) p. 1557 - 1586 ISSN: 0960-6491
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gerard-george/33/