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Human Relations, Vol. 57, No. 10, 1263-1284 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0018726704048355

The 1996 Mount Everest climbing disaster: The breakdown of learning in teams

D. Christopher Kayes

The George Washington University, School of Business, dckayes{at}gwu.edu

Qualitative analysis of the events leading to the deaths of eight climbers on Mt Everest in 1996 illustrates the breakdown of learning in teams. The analysis contributes to research on the role of teams in organizational disasters by considering team learning and development as the basis for success in complex and changing organizations. Multiple qualitative methods reveal three precursors associated with the breakdown of learning in teams: narrowly defined purpose, directive leadership and failure to sense an ill-defined problem. Findings have implications for normal disasters and sense-making, performance in short-term project teams, and organizational learning.

Key Words: disaster sense-making • errors and accidents • organizational and experiential learning • teams and groups


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