Understanding the psychological processes of innovating from failure

Shen-Yang Lin

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

341 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Failure is almost inevitable in the innovation process. However, little is known about how individuals can innovate from failure. This thesis proposes and tests a model of innovating from failure. I report two studies conducted on 252 undergraduate students. Study 1 is a quantitative analysis that demonstrates that cognitive flexibility has a positive relationship with improvement- and curiosity-oriented behaviors and that the two behaviors have a positive relationship with innovating from failure. Study 1 also demonstrates that self-compassion moderates the relationship between negative emotion and control-oriented behavior, while control-oriented behavior is not related to innovating from failure. Study 2 clarifies and expands the contents of the variables in Study 1 for further measurement development. In addition to Studies 1 and 2, this thesis provides further investigations beyond the model in an attempt to identify comprehensive pathways that lead to innovating from failure. This thesis demonstrates that failure is an important experience for innovation. Moreover, this thesis sheds light on regulatory focus theory, GLOMOsys theory, and ambidexterity theory by demonstrating that the broadening pathways (i.e., the cognitive flexibility pathway) are more important for innovating from failure than the narrowed pathway (i.e., the negative emotion pathway).
Original languageEnglish
QualificationMasters
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Luksyte, Alex, Supervisor
  • Parker, Sharon, Supervisor
Publication statusUnpublished - 2015

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