Engaged learning: lessons learned by subject-matter experts from COVID-19 in the US swine industry

When industries fail to address warnings adequately, risk situations may manifest into crises. Although the U.S. swine industry planned thoroughly for potential infectious disease outbreaks among the animal population, COVID-19 highlighted a planning gap: What happens if the humans working to keep the industry operational can no longer work? This oversight ultimately resulted in a crisis event impacting all aspects of the U.S. swine industry. This study examines the process of engaged learning from failure that took place via retrospective accounts provided in interviews with 18 industry subject-matter experts. Lessons learned, practical applications, and areas for future research suggest that engaged learning values diverse perspectives and, ultimately, promotes meaningful systemic change. Conversely, organizations opting to disengage during or after crises are likely to repeat mistakes and experience similar crises in the future.