Emotion and learning in the Workplace: Critical Perspectives

Purpose – The aim of this Guest Editorial is to position the special issue. Design/methodology/approach – The Guest Editors reflect on critical perspectives on the relationship between emotion and learning in the workplace, and also present the four papers that constitute the special issue. Findings – Emotion and learning are deeply intertwined in the workplace. To understand this inter-relationship, it is essential to examine the cultural and political context of particular organisations and the countries in which they are located. Class, gender and race are also highly influential factors that need to be taken into account in such studies. Originality/value – The special issue gives space and consideration to under-explored and under-developed areas in the literature on emotion and learning in the workplace: how emotional suffering can block workplace learning, race, emotion and learning in the workplace, and emotion in relation to ICT support for learning. Keywords Emotion work, Emotional labour, Workplace learning, Gender, Race, Social class