The relationship between feedback orientation, feedback seeking climate and behaviour: evidence from Chinese postgraduate students and their tutors

Based on trait activation theory, this study introduces two variables, feedback orientation and feedback seeking climate, to analyse their impact on feedback seeking behaviour in depth, and also explores the moderating role of feedback seeking climate in the process of feedback orientation on feedback seeking behaviour. Using a paired sample of 391 Chinese postgraduate students and their immediate tutors at two different times, this study found that both feedback orientation and feedback seeking climate are positively associated with feedback seeking behaviour. At the same time, feedback seeking climate positively moderated the association between feedback orientation and feedback seeking behaviour, that is, it can activate the positive impact of feedback orientation on feedback seeking behaviour. These findings of this study offer new knowledge for understanding the influence of feedback orientation and provide significant empirical practices for higher education administration.