The bright side of sharing mistakes: a systematic literature review for future research direction

This study systematically analyses the research landscape on sharing mistakes as a critical component of knowledge sharing. Using a systematic literature review (SLR), we analysed 47 relevant studies from Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify key themes, theoretical foundations, and research gaps. The findings reveal that most studies focus on individual-level factors, primarily employing survey methods and strongly emphasising European research contexts. Theoretical perspectives frequently referenced include social exchange theory, knowledge management theory, organisational learning theory, and attribution theory. A key contribution of this study is the application of the AMO framework (antecedents, mediators / moderators, and outcomes) to systematically classify the factors influencing sharing mistakes behaviours. This approach provides a structured understanding of the drivers, mechanisms, and consequences of sharing mistakes, offering a novel perspective for future research and practical applications. By addressing critical research gaps, this study underscores the importance of sharing mistakes in fostering organisational learning, innovation, and performance improvement while outlining areas for further exploration.