Taking nothing for granted in management education : a systemic perspective on the role of reflective questioning

Questioning is one of the most critical behaviors in management education and learning. In this paper we explore the antecedents, processes and outcomes of reflective questioning, as a key element of management learning and education. Reflective questioning involves raising tentative, non-rhetorical questions. By reviewing and synthesizing the literature, we develop a model of reflective questioning in the form of a causal loop diagram. This model implies that reflective questioning can be taught through particular forms of management education, but is also contingent on the psychological safety of the group setting, the individual need for cognition, and challenging tasks and experiences.