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Towards a concept of error tolerance culture: Entrepreneurship facilitator or societal risk amplifier?

  • Michael Frese*
  • , Steven A. Brieger
  • , Dorothee Horvath
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This study introduces a concept and measure of “error tolerance culture” that could advance our understanding of cross-national variations in entrepreneurial activity and risk-related outcomes. Using data from 58 countries of the GLOBE study, we show that the cultural practice of error tolerance constitutes a meaningful measure with dual implications: While positively associated with entrepreneurial activity across nations, it is also linked to behaviors that can lead to reduced longevity, increased accidents, and corruption. The proposed measure of error tolerance holds significant potential as a research tool by facilitating the examination of its benefits and drawbacks, as well as uncovering its relationships with critical economic, institutional, and cultural variables.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere70109
JournalApplied Psychology
Volume75
Issue number3
Number of pages35
ISSN0269-994X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06.2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 The Author(s). Applied Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Association of Applied Psychology.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Research areas and keywords

  • corruption
  • entrepreneurship
  • error tolerance
  • GLOBE
  • longevity
  • traffic accidents
  • Business psychology

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Applied Psychology

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