Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste: Exploring the Effects of Psychological Distance of Project Failure on Learning Intention

Abstract

Project failure is unfortunate but common in the construction sector. However, as the Chinese proverb says, failure is the mother of success. In other words, learning from failure can be considered an effective way to prevent the occurrence of a failure in future projects. Surprisingly, the learning effect from failed projects is underexamined both theoretically and empirically in construction activity. This research aimed to explore the effects of the psychological distance of project failure on learning intention by deploying construal-level theory (CLT). Primary data was collected via a questionnaire survey of construction practitioners and analyzed using regression analysis. It was discovered that the experience of project failure does influence practitioners in their learning intention via psychological distance. That is, the psychological distance of project failure plays a mediating role in the relationship between the experience of project failure and learning intention. The study contributes to the body of knowledge pertaining to the domain of learning by revealing the impact of the psychological distance of project failure. Reducing the psychological distance of project failure is recommended to promote employees’ learning intention and advance the prosperity of construction enterprises.