Title
Unlearning at the individual level: An exploratory case study in a high power distance country
Date Issued
18 November 2018
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Wilbert J.K.W.
Ferenhof H.A.
Selig P.M.
University of Skövde
Publisher(s)
Universidade do Porto - Faculdade de Engenharia
Abstract
This paper presents a case study that addresses factors that influence unlearning at the individual level. These factors were studied in a public sector organization located in a country characterized by high power distance. The case organization went through a change process of a daily routine caused by the introduction of a new technology. Data were collected through semi structured face-to-face interviews with shop floor agents in the state of Santa Catarina/Brazil. The results highlight the strong influence of the support of formal leaders on the unlearning process of individuals, suggesting that managers operating in a high power distance environment have to make bigger efforts compared to their counterparts in small power distance settings to promote unlearning processes of employees. The study advances the limited body of knowledge regarding unlearning in general and unlearning at the individual level in particular. It also stresses the influence of the national cultural dimension on the unlearning process of individuals.
Start page
17
End page
39
Volume
6
Issue
3
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Negocios, Administración Ciencias sociales
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85081623296
Source
Journal of Innovation Management
ISSN of the container
21830606
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus