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Reporting Only the Good News but Not the Bad? Mechanism of Negative Performance Feedback

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  • Qiufang Li

    (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law)

  • Hui Xia

    (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law)

Abstract

The phenomenon of supervisors ignoring or over-implementing negative performance feedback exists in the work environment. Unlike the view on the negative role of negative performance feedback, existing research also suggests that negative performance feedback can produce a facilitating effect. In this study, a theoretical model was constructed based on the feedback intervention theory to explore the mechanism of negative performance feedback from supervisors on the innovative behaviors of employees in light of the influence of regulatory focus on error handling ability. The results of this study show that employees with a high promotion or prevention focus choose to enhance their error handling ability in the face of negative performance feedback from supervisors, which in turn positively affects their innovative behaviors. This study not only expands the field of research on negative performance feedback and innovative behaviors, but also has important implications for supervisors to take measures to improve the ability and competitiveness of employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiufang Li & Hui Xia, 2025. "Reporting Only the Good News but Not the Bad? Mechanism of Negative Performance Feedback," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(1), pages 5346-5370, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-024-02035-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-02035-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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