Managing Without Blame? Insights from the Philosophy of Blame

Ben Lupton () and Richard Warren ()
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Ben Lupton: Manchester Metropolitan University
Richard Warren: Manchester Metropolitan University

Journal of Business Ethics, 2018, vol. 152, issue 1, No 4, 52 pages

Abstract: Abstract This article explores the concept of blame in organizations. Existing work suggests that ‘no-blame’ approaches (or cultures) may be conducive to organizational learning and may foster innovation. However, both the apparently strong public appetite for blaming, and research into no-blame approaches, suggest that wider application of ‘no-blame’ in organizations may not be straightforward. The article explores the contribution of the rich philosophical literature on blame to this debate, and considers the implications of philosophical ideas for the no-blame idea. In doing so, it identifies conceptual and practical issues, sheds light on why the benefits of ‘no-blame’ may be difficult to realize, and offers the basis for an alternative approach. The article also contributes by providing foundations for future research, and identifies some fruitful lines of enquiry.

Keywords: Blame; Communities of practice; Error-reporting; Leadership; Organizational learning; Philosophy; Virtue ethics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3276-6

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