Skip to main content

“There Is a Crack in Everything. That’s How the Light Gets in”: An Introduction to Mistakes, Errors and Failure as Resources

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

To fail in a task, to misjudge a situation and to make wrong conclusions, or to be unable to achieve a desired goal, are basic human experiences that occur in everyday activities as well as in longer-term projects in the context of personal development. But the assessments of what is a mistake, an error, or a failure depend heavily on cultural as well as individual contexts. Errors, failures and mistakes do not constitute objectively ascertainable facts, but are subject to the validity of certain rules within a context-dependent judgement. These rules can exist in various forms and degrees of explicitness and are adopted in the course of social negotiation processes. The aim of this book is to synthesise empirical research-based and theoretical perspectives on mistakes, errors, and failure in and across cultures, in order to provide a comprehensive view of contemporary research and practice which is accessible to researchers and practicing professionals internationally.

Mistakes or errors can, at the individual level, cause deep shame and embarrassment, and can lead to severe personal, organisational and collective crises. However, they can also be viewed as a resource for self-development and organisational, collective and societal change. At the organisational level, mistakes, errors and failure can have serious consequences for individuals such as employees or clients in the field of transportation, or in the context of medicine or chemistry, for example. At the same time, they can reveal inaccuracies in process chains, or weaknesses in a system, and they can also trigger contingent and sustainable improvement processes on all levels. Even in the political context, actual or perceived wrong decisions can have massive and long-lasting consequences for individuals, societal groups and subcultures, and for the society as such. Societal mistakes, errors and failures might then even be discussed in global contexts and in terms of their universal impact.

“I have often said that from the amoeba to Einstein there is only one step. Both work with the method of trial and error. The amoeba must hate error, for it dies when it errs. But Einstein knows that we can learn only from our mistakes, and he spares no effort to make new trials in order to detect new errors, and to eliminate them from our theories. The step that the amoeba cannot take, but Einstein can, is to achieve a critical, a self-critical attitude, a critical approach. It is the greatest of the virtues that the invention of the human language puts within our grasp. I believe that it will make peace possible.”

Karl Popper, All Life is Problem Solving

“There is a crack in everything (there is a crack in everything) That’s how the light gets in”. Leonard Cohen, Anthem

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ackroyd, S. (2007). Organizational Failure. In G. Ritzer, The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology (pp. 3306–3307). Oxford, UK: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amara, N. (2019). Correcting Students’ Errors: Theory and Practice. Retrieved from http://www.educationalresearch.info/index.php/er/article/view/26

  • Amini, A., & Mortazavi, S. (2013). The impact of the broadcasting mistake management culture in a healthy organization on the quality of the personnel work life. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR, 7(3), 507–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2019). Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/error

  • Arciniega, G. M., Anderson, T. C., Tovar-Blank, Z. G., & Tracey, T. J. G. (2008). Toward a fuller conception of Machismo: Development of a traditional Machismo and Caballerismo Scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 19–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backert, W. (2004), Kulturen des Scheiterns. Gesellschaftliche Bewertungsprozesse im internationalen Vergleich, in: M. Junge und G. Lechner (Hrsg.), Scheitern. Aspekte eines sozialen Phänomens, S. 63–77. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, J. (2008). Learning from errors at work. Studies on nurses’ engagement in error-related learning activities - Publikationsserver der Universität Regensburg. Retrieved from https://epub.uni-regensburg.de/10748/

  • Bell, B.S. & Kozlowski, S.W.J. (2002). A typology of virtual teams: Implications for effective leadership. Group & Organization Management, 27(1), 14–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bormann, K. (2012). Risk Perception and Cultural Differences of Latinos across Residential, Commercial, and Heavy Civil Construction.. Fort Collins, Colorado: Master Thesis. Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bormann, K., Clevenger, C., Lopez del Puerto, C., & Gilkey, D. (2013). Risk Perception and Cultural Differences of Latinos across Residential, Commercial, and Heavy Civil Construction. In 49th ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings.. Fort Collins, Colorado: Associated Schools of Construction.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bornstein, M., & Cote, L. (2001). Mother-infant interaction and acculturation: I. Behavioural comparisons in Japanese American and South American families. International Journal Of Behavioral Development, 25(6), 549–563. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/01650250042000546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun, H. (n.d.). Scheitern als persönliche Erfahrung und öffentliches Ereignis. [online] Web.tuomi-media.de. Available at: http://web.tuomi-media.de/dno2/Dateien/NO111-4.pdf [Accessed 3 Jan. 2019].

  • Brodbeck, F., Frese, M., Akerblom, S., Audia, G., & Bakacsi, G. (2010). Cultural variation of leadership prototypes across 22 European countries. Retrieved 30 November 2019, from https://doi.org/10.1348/096317900166859

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brommundt, J. (2018). Empowerment. In J. Hangen, How Could This Happen?: Managing Errors in Organizations (pp. 161–172). Cham: Springer International.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Brüggemann, U. (2009). Modellierung der Alltagsorganisation: ein psychologisch basiertes Agentenmodell zur Erzeugung der Verkehrsnachfrage - Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek. Retrieved from https://www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/item/GDESBPZZ3JFBEMQ5HECCWWQHU4E4GGFO

  • Brunette, M. J. (2004). Construction safety research in the United States: targeting the Hispanic workforce. Injury Prevention, 10(4), 244–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camras, L. A., Oster, H., Campos, J. J., Miyake, K., & Bradshaw, D. (1997). Japanese and American infants’ responses to arm restraint. In P. Ekman & E. L. Rosenberg (Eds.), Series in affective science. What the face reveals: Basic and applied studies of spontaneous expression using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) (pp. 289–301). New York, NY, US: Oxford University Press. (Reprinted from “Developmental Psychology,” 28, 1992, pp. 578–583)

    Google Scholar 

  • Camras LA, Oster H, Campos J, Campos R, Ujiie T, Miyake K, Wang L, Meng Z. Production of emotional facial expressions in European American, Japanese, and Chinese infants. Developmental Psychology. 1998;34:616–628.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camras, LA, Meng, Z, Ujiie, T, Dharamsi, S, Miyake, K, Oster, H, Wang, L, Cruz, J, Murdoch, A, Campos, J. Observing emotion in infants: Facial expression, body behavior, and rater judgments of responses to an expectancy-violating event. Emotion. 2002;2:179–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canales, A. R., Arbelaez, M., Vasquez, E., Aveiga, F., Strong, K., Walters, R., et al. (2009). Exploring Training Needs and Development of Construction Language Courses for American Supervisors and Hispanic Craft Workers. [Article]. Journal of Construction Engineering & Management, 135(5), 387–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cannon, M. D. & Edmondson, A. C. 2005. Failing to learn and learning to fail (intelligently): How great organizations put failure to work to innovate and improve. Long Range Planning, 38(3): 299–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, J. (2018). Understanding Safety Management Through Strategic Design, Political and Cultural Approaches. In J. Hangen, How Could This Happen?: Managing Errors in Organizations (pp. 27–44). Cham: Springer International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlin, K. B., Chuang, Y. T., & Roulet, T. J. (2018). Opportunity, Motivation, and Ability to learn from failures and errors: Review, synthesis, and ways to move forward. Academy of Management Annals, 12(1), 252–277. doi: https://doi.org/10.5465/annals.2016.0049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Castella, K., Byrne, D., & Covington, M. (n.d.) APA PsycNET Login. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/psycarticles/2013-14500-001.pdf

  • Dörner, D. (1989). Die Logik des Mißlingens. Reinbek: Rowohlt Verlag

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmondson, A. C. (1996). Learning from mistakes is easier said than done: Group and organizational influences on the detection and correction of human error. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 32, 5–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edmondson, A. (2004). Learning from Mistakes is Easier Said than Done. The Journal Of Applied Behavioral Science, 40(1), 66–90. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886304263849

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edmondson, A. & Verdin, P. (2018). The Strategic Imperativ of Psychological Safety and Organizational Error Management. In: J. Hangen, ed., How Could This Happen?: Managing Errors in Organizations. Cham: Springer International, pp. 81–104.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Elder, N. C. (2004) The Identification of Medical Errors by Family Physicians During Outpatient Visits. The Annals of Family Medicine 2 (2):125–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elder, N., Pallerla, H., & Regan, S. (2006). What do family physicians consider an error? A comparison of definitions and physician perception. BMC Family Practice, 7(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-7-73

  • Fogel A, Toda S, Kawai M. Mother-infant face-to-face interaction in Japan and the United States: A laboratory comparison using 3-month old infants. Developmental Psychology. 1988;24:398–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frese, M. (1993). Fehler bei der Arbeit mit dem Computer: Empirische Ergebnisse und Fehlermanagement. Software-Marketing, 93–105. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-87509-9_5

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Frese, M., & Keith, N. (2015). Action Errors, Error Management, and Learning in Organizations. Annual Review Of Psychology, 66(1), 661–687. doi: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010814-015205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gartmeier, M. (2009). Fehlerfreundlichkeit im Arbeitskontext: Positive Einstellungen gegenüber Fehlern und negatives Wissen als Ressourcen professionellen Handelns. Regensburg: Dissertation an der Philosophischen Fakultät II der Universität Regensburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giolito, V. and Verdin, P. (2018). Executive Perspectives on Strategic Error Management. In: J. Hangen, ed., How Could This Happen?: Managing Errors in Organizations. Cham: Springer International, pp. 59–80.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Glendon, A., Clarke, S., & McKenna, E. (2006). Human Safety and Risk Management (2nd ed.). Boca Raton: C R C Press LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, P., Ramanujam, R., Carroll, J., Edmondson, A., Hofmann, D., & Sutcliffe, K. (2011). Organizational errors: Directions for future research. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2011.09.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grote, G. (2018). Errors and Learning for Safety: Creating Uncertainty As an Underlying Mechanism. In J. Hangen, How Could This Happen?: Managing Errors in Organizations (pp. 27–44). Cham: Springer International.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Grout, J. (2006). Mistake proofing: changing designs to reduce error. Quality And Safety In Health Care, 15(suppl_1), i44-i49. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/qshc.2005.016030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gruber, H. (1999). Erfahrung als Grundlage kompetenten Handelns. Verlag Hans Huber: Bern.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen, J. (2018). How Could This Happen?. Cham: Springer International Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harteis C, Bauer J, Heid H (2006) Der Umgang mit Fehlern als Merkmal betrieblicher Fehlerkultur und Voraussetzung für Professional Learning. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Bildungswissenschaften 28:111–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Harteis, C., Bauer, J. & Gruber, H. (2008). The culture of learning from mistakes: How employees handle mistakes in everyday work. International Journal for Educational Re-search, 47, 223–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heid, H. (1999). Autorität – über die Verwandlung von Fehlern in Verfehlungen. In W. Althof (Hrsg.), Fehlerwelten. Vom Fehlermachen und Lernen aus Fehlern (pp. 129–136). Opladen: Leske + Budrich.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmreich, R.L. (2000). Culture and error in space: Implications from analog environments. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 71(9–11), 133–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmreich, R. L., & Merritt, A. C. (1998). Culture at work in aviation and medicine: National. Organizational and Professional lnfluences, Aldershot

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmreich, R., & Davies, J. (2004). Culture, threat, and error: lessons from aviation. Canadian Journal Of Anesthesia/Journal Canadien D’anesthésie, 51(S1), R1-R4. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03018331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmreich, R.L., Wilhelm, J.A., Klinect, J.R., & Merritt, A.C. (2000). Culture, error and Crew Resource Management. In E. Salas, C.A. Bowers, & E. Edens (Eds.), Applying resource management in organizations: A guide for professionals. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, D. A., & Frese, M. (Eds.). (2011). The organizational frontiers series (SIOP). Errors in organizations. New York, NY, US: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1991). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind. Maidenhead, U.K.: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, C. (1998). Errors in language learning and use. London: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahnemann, D. (2013). Thinking, fast and slow (Reprint). New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiassat, A. (2013). System Performance Analysis Considering Human-related Factors. Toronto: Dissertation at the University of Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kistler, C. E., Walter, L. C., Mitchell, C. M., & Sloane, P. D. (2010). Patient perceptions of mistakes in ambulatory care. Archives of internal medicine, 170(16), 1480–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitayama S, Markus HR. Yin and Yang of the Japanese self: The cultural psychology of personality coherence. In: Cervone D, Shoda Y, editors. The coherence of personality: Social- cognitive bases of consistency, variability, and organization. New York, NY: Guilford Press; 1999. pp. 242–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitayama S, Markus HR, Matsumoto H, Norasakkunkit V. Individual and collective processes in the construction of the self: Self-enhancement in the United States and self-criticism in Japan. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1997;72:1245–1267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klement, P. (2018). Error Management in the German Armed Forces’ Military Aviation. In J. Hangen, How Could This Happen?: Managing Errors in Organizations (pp. 27–44). Cham: Springer International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohn LT (1999), Corrigan JM, Donaldson MS (eds). To Err Is Human. Building a safer health system. Washington, DC: Institute of Medicine, Committee on Quality of Health Care in America 1999

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohn, L., Corrigan, J., & Donaldson, M. (1999). To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kryeziu, M. (2015). Learning from Errors. Holzkirchen, Germany and Iliria College, Pristina, Kosovo: Felix–Verlag.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lei, Z. (2018). Fast, Slow and Pause. In: J. Hagen, ed., How Could This Happen?: Managing Errors in Organizations. Cham: Springer International, pp. 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lei, Z., Naveh, E., & Novikov, Z. (2016). Errors in Organizations: An Integrative Review via Level of Analysis, Temporal Dynamism, and Priority Lenses. Journal of Management, 42(5),

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, M., Takai-Kawakami, K., Kawakami, K., & Sullivan, M. (2009). Cultural differences in emotional responses to success and failure. International Journal Of Behavioral Development, 34(1), 53–61. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025409348559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Johnson K, Cohen A, Williams M, Knowles E, Chen Z. 2012. Fundamental(ist) attribution error: Protestants are dispositionally focused. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 102:281–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lingard, L, Espin, S, Whyte, S, Reghr, G., Baker, G. R., Reznick, R. Bohnen,J. Orser, B., Doran, D., and Grober, E. Communication failures in the operating room: an observational classification of recurrent types and effects. BMJ Quality & Safety 2004;13:330–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Löber, N. (2010). Konstruktive Fehlerkultur in Krankenhaus und Praxis. Rheinisches Ärzteblatt Forum, (8), 20–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Löber, N. (2012). Fehler und Fehlerkultur im Krankenhaus. Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag / Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Love, P.E.D., Edwards, D.J., Irani, Z. & Walker, D.H.T. (2009). Pathogens: The anato-my of omission errors in construction and resource engineering project. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 56(3), 425–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F. (2002a). Positive organizational behavior: Developing and managing psychological strengths. Academy of Management Executive, 16(1), 57–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F. (2002b). The need for and meaning of positive organizational behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23, 695–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F., & Youssef, C. M. (2007). Emerging positive organizational behavior. Journal of Management, 33, 321–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markus HR, Kitayama S. The cultural construction of self and emotion: Implications for social behavior. In: Kitayama S, Markus HR, editors. Emotion and culture: Empirical studies of mutual influence. Washington, D.C: American Psychological Association; 1994. pp. 89–130.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, A.J. (2012). Fear of failure in learning. In N.M. Seel (Ed.). Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, A. J., & Marsh, H. (2003). Fear of failure: friend or foe. Australian Psychologist, 38(1), 31–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, C-H (2020). Failures in Wildlife Crime Eradication and Strategies Forward. In E. Vanderheiden & C-H. Mayer, Mistakes, Errors and Failures across Cultures: Navigating Potentials. Cham: Springer International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, C.-H., Vanderheiden, E., & Oosthuizen, R. (2019). Transforming shame, guilt and anxiety through a salutogenic PP1.0 and PP2.0 counselling framework. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 1–17. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2019.1609421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medizinischer Dienst des Spitzenverbandes Bund der Krankenkassen e.V. (MDS). (2018). Behandlungsfehler-Begutachtung der MDK-Gemeinschaft. Jahresstatistik 2017. Retrieved from https://www.mds-ev.de/fileadmin/dokumente/Pressemitteilungen/2018/2018_06_05/Jahresstatistik_BHF_begutachtung_2017.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzel, N. N., & Gutierrez, A. P. (2010). Latino worker perceptions of construction risks. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 53(2), 179–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meurier, C. E., Vincent, C. A. & Parmar, D. G. (1997). Learning from errors in nursing practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 26, 111–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minsky, M. (1997). Negative expertise. In P. J. Feltovich, K. M. Ford & R. R. Hoffman (Eds.), Expertise in Context: Human and Machine (pp. 515–521). Cambridge: AAAI/MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyake, K., & Kosuke, Y. (1995). Self-conscious emotions, child rearing, and child psychopathology in Japanese culture. Retrieved 30 November 2019, from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1995-97661-019

  • Mohamed, S. (2002). Safety Climate in Construction Site Environments. [Article]. Journal of Construction Engineering & Management, 128(5), 375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgenroth, O., & Schaller, J. (2010). Misserfolg und Scheitern aus psychologischer Sicht. In H. Pechlaner, Misserfolg und Scheitern aus psychologischer Sicht. Berlin: Schmidt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu, Y., Kitayama, S., Han, S., & Gelfand, M. (2015). How culture gets embrained: Cultural differences in event-related potentials of social norm violations. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, 112(50), 15348–15353. doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1509839112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nassaji, H. (2018). Errors Versus Mistakes.Teaching Grammar. Retrieved 30 November 2019, from https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118784235.eelt0059

  • O’Connor, P.J., Sperl-Hillen, J.M.,Johnson, P.E., Rush, W.A., Biltz, G. (2005). Clinical inertia and outpatient Medical Errors, in: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (eds.) Advances in Patient Safety - From Research to lmplementation, AHRQ Publication No’ 05OO2], Volume 2, Rockville, S. 293–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oser, F. & Spychiger, M. (2005). Lernen ist schmerzhaft. Zur Theorie des negativen Wissens und zur Praxis der Fehlerkultur. Weinheim: Beltz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parviainen, J. & Eriksson, M. (2006). Negative knowledge, expertise and organisations. International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, 2, 140–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitta, D., Fung, H., & Isberg, S. (1999). Ethical issues across cultures: managing the differing perspectives of China and the USA. Journal Of Consumer Marketing, 16(3), 240–256. doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/07363769910271487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramanujam, R. (2003). The effects of Dsicontinous change on latent errors in organizations: the moderating role of risk. Academy of Management Journal, 46(5), pp. 608–617.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen, J. (1982). Human errors. A taxonomy for describing human malfunction in industrial installations. Journal Of Occupational Accidents, 4(2–4), 311–333. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-6349(82)90041-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen, J. (1997). Risk management in a dynamic society: A modeling problem. Safety Science, 27: 183–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reason, J. T. (1990). Human error. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Reason, J. T. (1995). Understanding adverse events: Human factors. Quality in Health Care, 4, 80–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reason, J. T. (2005). Safety in the operating theatre—Part 2: human error and organisational failure. Q. Saf. Health Care 14:56–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Roese, N.J.; Vohs KD. 2012. Hindsight bias. Perspect. Psychol. Sci. 7:411–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, E., Griffin, E., Carnie, W., Melucci, J., & Weber, R. J. (2017). A Just Culture Approach to Managing Medication Errors. Hospital pharmacy, 52(4), 308–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roxburgh, C. (2003). Hidden flaws in strategy. [online] McKinsey & Company. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/hidden-flaws-in-strategy?cid=other-eml-cls-mkq-mck-oth-1704&hlkid=cd2223b723fd41e89836ed5506f376f2&hctky=9693957&hdpid=5c23fe09-d7a0-4dea-80da-8d6f0964846e [Accessed 21 Apr. 2019].

  • Russo, J. and Schoemaker, P. (1989). Decision traps. New York: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruttenberg, M. L. (2004). Spanish-Speaking Construction Workers Discuss Their Safety Needs and Experiences. Silver Spring: The Center to Protect Workers’ Rights.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schrappe, M. (2015). Qualität 2030. Retrieved from https://www.gesundheitsstadt-belin.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Schrappe_Qualitaet_2030_165x240_Download.pdf

  • Seligman, M.E.P., & Csikszentimihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: an introduction. American Psychologist, 55, 5–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senders, J. W. & Moray, N. P. (1991). Human error. Cause, prediction, and reduction. Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slovic, P. (1987) Perception of risk. Science 236 (4799):280–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spychiger, M., Kuster, R., & Oser, F. (2006). Dimensionen von Fehlerkultur in der Schule und deren Messung: Der Schülerfragebogen zur Fehlerkultur im Unterricht für Schülerinnen und Schüler der Mittel- und Oberstufe [Dimensions of mistake culture in school: The measurement “The students’ inquiry on mistake culture in the classroom”, for grades 4–9]. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Bildung- swissenschaften, 28, 87–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Dyck, C., Frese, M., Baer, M., & Sonnentag, S. (2005). Organizational Error Management Culture and Its Impact on Performance: A Two-Study Replication. Journal Of Applied Psychology, 90(6), 1228–1240. doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.90.6.1228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Rooij, A. (2015) Sisyphus in business: Success, failure and the different types of failure. Business History, 57(2), 203–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vazquez, R. F., Stalnaker, C Keith. (2004). Latino Workers in the Construction Industry Overcoming the language barrier improves safety. Professional Safety.

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Weizsäcker, C. & von Weizsäcker, E. U. (1984). Fehlerfreundlichkeit. In K. Kornwachs (Eds.), Offenheit – Zeitlichkeit – Komplexität. Zur Theorie der offenen Systeme (pp. 168–201). Frankfurt: Campus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Weizsäcker, E. U. & von Weizsäcker, C. (1998). Information, evolution and “error-friendliness”. Biological Cybernetics, 79, 501–506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams Jr, Q., Ochsner, M., Marshall, E., Kimmel, L., & Martino, C. (2010). The impact of a peer-led participatory health and safety training program for Latino day laborers in construction. Journal of Safety Research, 41(3), 253–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, P.T.P. (2011). Positive psychology 2.0: Towards a balanced interactive model of the good life. Canadian Psychology, 52(2), 69–81. Retrieved from http://www.drpaulwong.com/positive-psychology-2-0-towards-a-balanced-interactive-model-of-the-good-life/

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wursten, H. & Lanzer, F. (2013). The EU: The Third Great European Cultural Contribution to the World. White paper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zander, L., Kreutzmann, M., & Wolter, I. (2014). Constructive handling of mistakes in the classroom: The conjoint power of collaborative networks and self-efficacy beliefs. Zeitschrift Für Erziehungswissenschaft, 17(S5), 205–223. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11618-014-0558-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zapf, D., Frese, M. & Brodbeck, F.C. (1999). Fehler und Fehlermanagement. In C.Graf Hoyos und D. Frey (Hrsg). Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie. pp 398–411.Weinheim: Beltz, Psychologische Verlags Union.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimolong, B. (1990). Fehler und Zuverlässigkeit. In: C. Graf Hoyos & B. Zimolong (Eds.), Ingenieurpsychologie. Göttingen: Hogrefe. (pp. 303–345).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimolong, B. & Trimpop, R. (1993). Managing human reliability in advanced manufacturing Systems. In G. Salvendy & W. Karwowski (Eds.), Human factors in advanced manufacturing systems (Chapter 15). New York: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elisabeth Vanderheiden .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Vanderheiden, E., Mayer, CH. (2020). “There Is a Crack in Everything. That’s How the Light Gets in”: An Introduction to Mistakes, Errors and Failure as Resources. In: Vanderheiden, E., Mayer, CH. (eds) Mistakes, Errors and Failures across Cultures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35574-6_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics