Organizational learning amidst a crisis: lessons from the biopharmaceutical sector during COVID-19

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of the research is to investigate the impact of affective and emotional experiences on organizational learning in highly dynamic and chaotic environments, specifically in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.Design/methodology/approachBased on an intensive 12-month inductive study, 24-project managers and 16 team members from biopharmaceutical organizations were interviewed and a thematic analysis was conducted.FindingsThree themes emerged from the findings: (1) developing affective maturity as a socio-emotional resource, (2) mixed-motive emotional dynamics and (3) meaning-oriented organizational identification and commitment. The context of the COVID-19 crisis provided an unconventional performance environment.Research limitations/implicationsOur study has several limitations, offering avenues for future research. Firstly, our focus on biopharmaceutical organizations, with their unique socio-cultural influences and management styles, may limit the generalizability of our findings to other sectors and institutional contexts. However, regulatory mechanisms in this sector may align with knowledge-based sectors, emphasizing the influence of organizational values and best practices. Secondly, our reliance on a posteriori interview data limits real-time observation of organizational learning (OL) processes. Future research could employ diverse data sources and survey methods for corroboration. Additionally, cross-cultural studies might explore how different societies respond to crises. Multi-level perspectives could also enhance understanding of affective experiences and their impact on OL outcomes.Originality/valueThe study contributes new insights into OL through its focus on how affective experiences and affective organizing efforts shape OL. We offer a novel and emergent theoretical model of OL in the context of trauma which has implications for organizations particularly in the areas of information processing and decision-making.