Creative Exploration Using Topic Based Bisociative Networks

Partial funding for Open Access provided by the UMD Libraries' Open Access Publishing Fund.Bisociative knowledge discovery is an approach that combines elements from two or more `incompatible' domains to generate creative solutions and insight. Inspired by Koestler's notion of bisociation, in this paper we propose a computational framework for the discovery of new connections between domains to promote creative discovery and inspiration in design. Specifically, we propose using topic models on a large collection of unstructured text ideas from multiple domains to discover creative sources of inspiration. We use these topics to generate a Bisociative Information Network - a graph that captures conceptual similarity between ideas - that helps designers find creative links within that network. Using a dataset of thousands of ideas from OpenIDEO, an online collaborative community, our results show usefulness of representing conceptual bridges through collections of words (topics) in finding cross-domain inspiration. We show that the discovered links between domains, whether presented on their own or via ideas they inspired, are perceived to be more novel and can also be used as creative stimuli for new idea generation

Indirect Relatedness, Evaluation, and Visualization for Literature Based Discovery

The exponential growth of scientific literature is creating an increased need for systems to process and assimilate knowledge contained within text. Literature Based Discovery (LBD) is a well established field that seeks to synthesize new knowledge from existing literature, but it has remained primarily in the theoretical realm rather than in real-world application. This lack of real-world adoption is due in part to the difficulty of LBD, but also due to several solvable problems present in LBD today. Of these problems, the ones in most critical need of improvement are: (1) the over-generation of knowledge by LBD systems, (2) a lack of meaningful evaluation standards, and (3) the difficulty interpreting LBD output. We address each of these problems by: (1) developing indirect relatedness measures for ranking and filtering LBD hypotheses; (2) developing a representative evaluation dataset and applying meaningful evaluation methods to individual components of LBD; (3) developing an interactive visualization system that allows a user to explore LBD output in its entirety. In addressing these problems, we make several contributions, most importantly: (1) state of the art results for estimating direct semantic relatedness, (2) development of set association measures, (3) development of indirect association measures, (4) development of a standard LBD evaluation dataset, (5) division of LBD into discrete components with well defined evaluation methods, (6) development of automatic functional group discovery, and (7) integration of indirect relatedness measures and automatic functional group discovery into a comprehensive LBD visualization system. Our results inform future development of LBD systems, and contribute to creating more effective LBD systems

The Aha! Experience of Spatial Reorientation

The experience of spatial re-orientation is investigated as an instance of the wellknown phenomenon of the Aha! moment. The research question is: What are the visuospatial conditions that are most likely to trigger the spatial Aha! experience? The literature suggests that spatial re-orientation relies mainly on the geometry of the environment and a visibility graph analysis is used to quantify the visuospatial information. Theories from environmental psychology point towards two hypotheses. The Aha! experience may be triggered by a change in the amount of visual information, described by the isovist properties of area and revelation, or by a change in the complexity of the visual information associated with the isovist properties of clustering coefficient and visual control. Data from participants’ exploratory behaviour and EEG recordings are collected during wayfinding in virtual reality urban environments. Two types of events are of interest here: (a) sudden changes of the visuospatial information preceding subjects' response to investigate changes in EEG power; and (b) participants brain dynamics (Aha! effect) just before the response to examine differences in isovist values at this location. Research on insights, time-frequency analysis of the P3 component and findings from navigation and orientation studies suggest that the spatial Aha! experience may be reflected by: a parietal alpha power decrease associated with the switch of the representation and a frontocentral theta increase indexing spatial processing during decision-making. Single-trial time-frequency analysis is used to classify trials into two conditions based on the alpha/theta power differences between a 3s time-period before participants’ response and a time-period of equal duration before that. Behavioural results show that participants are more likely to respond at locations with low values of clustering coefficient and high values of visual control. The EEG analysis suggests that the alpha decrease/theta increase condition occurs at locations with significantly lower values of clustering coefficient and higher values of visual control. Small and large decreases in clustering coefficient, just before the response, are associated with significant differences in delta/theta power. The values of area and revelation do not show significant differences. Both behavioural and EEG results suggest that the Aha! experience of re-orientation is more likely to be triggered by a change in the complexity of the visual-spatial environment rather than a change in the amount, as measured by the relevant isovist properties

Bioinformatics Applications Based On Machine Learning

The great advances in information technology (IT) have implications for many sectors, such as bioinformatics, and has considerably increased their possibilities. This book presents a collection of 11 original research papers, all of them related to the application of IT-related techniques within the bioinformatics sector: from new applications created from the adaptation and application of existing techniques to the creation of new methodologies to solve existing problems

An exploratory study of the role and contribution of Absorptive Capacity levels in the commercialisation of knowledge in Knowledge Intensive SMEs

Absorptive Capacity (ACAP) is a construct introduced by Cohen and Leventhal in 1990 to describe the process by which an organisation recognises and absorbs new external knowledge to increase its current stock of knowledge, thereby giving it increased capability to create value for its customers, stakeholders and wider society. ACAP, as a construct, has gained widespread acceptance within academia and the construct has been further refined and developed over the last thirty years. However, the application and testing of the construct, is in practice, still in the early stages of development. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the role and contribution of varying levels of ACAP for the commercialisation of knowledge in indigenous firms in a small open economy. The Republic of Ireland was utilised in the study as an exemplar case. This study employs a multiple case study approach to explore the core research question cited above. These cases were selected on the geodemographic criteria of age, size, location and sector to provide a representative sample of the indigenous firms in the internationally traded sector in Ireland. A descriptive case study of each firm (n=19 cases) was produced from secondary and primary research. The data from each of the cases was coded and analysed using process and pattern coding and thematic analysis. A cross-case analysis was then conducted within the three cohorts of firms – Young (n=4), Adolescent (n=6) and Mature (n=9) – to identify variations in levels of ACAP between performing and non-performing firms within each cohort. Finally, a cross-cohort analysis was conducted to analyse how levels of ACAP differ across the stages of development of the firms in the study. It was found that ACAP, as a Dynamic Capability of the firm, underpins the innovation process in indigenous firms. Higher levels of ACAP were found in the more successful firms across all three stages of development, as defined in the study. The 5-Loop framework developed in the study from the extant literature, was able to identify varying levels of ACAP in firms using the diagnostic and evaluative instrument developed from this framework. This 5-Loop framework and instrument will be particularly beneficial to firm leadership and policymakers who wish to improve commercialisation results through improving key aspects of the firm’s innovation process

An Exploratory Study of Collaboration In Built Environment Design Teams: A Social Psychology Perspective

In recent years, existing research and industry studies have noted that, whilst there has been significant progress in the performance of built environment teams, scant attention has been paid to the behavioural aspects of collaborative design. These recent performance improvements also tend to respond to a techno-operational and positivist dominance within the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) domain. This has resulted in tools, technologies, and guidance which fail to address the socio-behavioural context of collaborative design in AEC. Alternatively, generic socio-behavioural management theories are applied with the aim of improving collaborative practices, despite operation in an industry that has critical differences to mainstream business. This thesis aims to counterbalance that positivist and techno-operational dominance, by conducting an exploratory study which expands and deepens knowledge relating to the social aspects of design collaboration in the built environment. To this end, the study begins with a systematic review of literature from the field of social psychology. This field maintains a long history of experimental and field study in relation to group interaction. The social psychology literature is examined to identify areas of knowledge and key themes which are likely to hold relevance for built environment design teams and may be supplanted within the AEC sector-specific research frame. Themes emerging from this review are: (1) motivation and reward, (2) risk attitudes, and (3) social climate. These themes, and the social phenomena described within them, are subsequently investigated in a series of studies. First, an exploratory survey of industry perceptions has been conducted. Findings from this survey direct and inform two further, complementary studies, which include focus group interviews and observations of a live design team in a case-study project. Resulting data sets are qualitatively analysed using a thematic analysis complemented by quantitative social network analysis. The proposed framework synthesises the findings from these studies. The framework comprises thematic content which is specific to collaborative practice in the built environment, rooted within a social psychology perspective. Findings detail a multiplicity in the role agency of project team members as actors in industry, discipline, company, and individual contexts. Normative and adaptive responses within the team interaction space, thus, transforms agency and thought to collective systems of meaning, within which creative thinking can flourish, and from which innovation can thrive. The framework enables the built environment sector to make progress in detailing its own critical success factors for effective collaboration. The framework can now be applied in research and practice, to establish clear directions for new research; development of interdisciplinary industry and practice guidance; and, industry-specific curricula content for professional practice training, teaching, and learning for cognisant disciplines. Thus, the current practice of applying generic theory to AEC collaborative practice can now be repealed in favour of a directed and industry appropriate approach

Perceptions of innovations : exploring and developing innovation classification

The capacity to innovate is commonly regarded as a key response mechanism, a critical organisational competence for success, even survival, for organisations operating in turbulent conditions. Understanding how innovation works, therefore, continues to be a significant agenda item for many researchers. Innovation, however, is generally recognised to be a complex and multi-dimensional phenomenon. Classificatory approaches have been used to provide conceptual frameworks for descriptive purposes and to help better understand innovation. Further, by the facility of pattern recognition, classificatory approaches also attempt to elevate theorising from the specific and contextual to something more abstract and generalisable. Over the last 50 years researchers have sought to explain variance in innovation activities and processes, adoption and diffusion patterns and, performance outcomes in terms of these different ‘types’ of innovation. Three generic approaches to the classification of innovations can be found in the literature (innovation newness, area of focus and attributes). In this research, several limitations of these approaches are identified: narrow specification, inconsistent application across studies and, indistinct and permeable boundaries between categories. One consequence is that opportunities for cumulative and comparative research are hampered. The assumption underpinning this research is that, given artefact multidimensionality, it is not unreasonable to assume that we might expect to see the diversity of attributes being patterned into distinct configurations. In a mixed-method study, comprising of three empirical phases, the innovation classification problem is addressed through the design, testing and application of a multi-dimensional framework of innovation, predicated on perceived attributes. Phase I is characterised by an iterative process, in which data from four case studies of successful innovation in the UK National Health Service are synthesised with those drawn from an extensive thematic interrogation of the literature, in order to develop the framework. The second phase is concerned with identifying whether or not innovations configure into discrete, identifiable types based on the multidimensional conceptualisation of innovation artefact, construed in terms of innovation attributes. The framework is operationalised in the form of a 56-item survey instrument, administered to a sample consisting of 310 different innovations. 196 returns were analysed using methods developed in biological systematics. From this analysis, a taxonomy consisting of three discrete types (type 1, type 2 and type 3 innovations) emerges. The taxonomy provides the basis for additional theoretical development. In phase III of the research, the utility of the taxonomy is explored in a qualitative investigation of the processes underpinning the development of exemplar cases of each of the three innovation types. This research presents an integrative approach to the study of innovation based on the attributes of the innovation itself, rather than its effects. Where the challenge is to manage multiple discrete data combinations along a number of dimensions, the configurational approach is especially relevant and can provide a richer understanding and description of the phenomenon of interest. Whilst none of the dimensions that comprise the proposed framework are new in themselves, what is original is the attempt to deal with them simultaneously in order that innovations may be classified according to differences in the way in which their attributes configure. This more sensitive classification of the artefact permits a clearer exploration of relationship issues between the innovation, its processes and outcomes.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The role of experiential knowledge in foreign market commitment: A process perspective on the internationalisation of Australian services SMEs

The Uppsala internationalisation model established some foundations for research in international business. But since the introduction of this internationalisation process model in mid-1970s, the business environment has changed significantly. It is important to reflect on how these changes affect the interplay between experiential learning and foreign market commitment, a key plank in the Uppsala model. This thesis focuses on a core assumption that underlies the model: that a high degree of foreign market commitment results from rational decisions that firms take during a learning process based on complete knowledge and information. In 2009, the protagonists of the Uppsala model offered a much more nuanced perception of a firm’s learning process, when they stressed that firms rely of a wider range of relationships, interactions and contexts that impact on their accumulation of experiential knowledge. Some studies have used proxy variables to capture this process through variance-based quantitative analysis. This thesis uses a process approach, conceptualised on the basis of several theories to understand the complexity of the learning process that underlies the internationalisation of firms. The true process approach to studying the internationalisation of the firm has been neglected for some time and the field of international business studies had been dominated by variance-based studies. Inevitably, this has led to a situation where ‘we see far too many “rigorous” studies with little originality and, at best, a marginal contribution’, as Johanson and Vahlne (2014: 173) expressed it. The process approach conceptualised, developed and applied in the analysis in this thesis may be a better instrument to understand causal relationships between experiential knowledge accumulation or learning and foreign market commitment, as well as other internationalisation processes that take place over periods of time. This research is focused on the micro-foundations of internationalisation attempts of firms. These processes are analysed in light of relevant spatiotemporal context. The findings document the key aspects of the internationalisation process without devoting the analysis to what Outhwaite (1987: 7-12) has labelled the positivist ‘law-explanation orthodoxy’. Instead, this thesis relies on abductive reasoning and longitudinal case studies to contextualise learning processes and changes in such processes over a period of time throughout the internationalisation process. It analyses the internationalisation of seven Australian services SMEs in order to provide causal explanations for a specific sequence of critical events that influenced the foreign market commitments of these firms. An additional methodological contribution of this thesis is the implementation of content analysis, clustering and multidimensional scaling of the contents of interviews, which accounts for relevant context without undermining the scientific explanation and rigour of the approach. By studying case histories and the chronology of critical events in the internationalisation attempts of these firms, we demonstrate that an accommodating learning style is most closely associated with the foreign market commitment of firms. Nonetheless, experiential learning is dynamic in nature and often requires decision makers to touch all bases of the learning cycle. As expected, the key sources of knowledge are relevant business and people-to-people networks, as well as prior learning experiences of decision makers that often go beyond the lifespan of the firm. Experiential learning is found to be a context-dependent process that is utterly complex in nature. The thesis demonstrates how critical events trigger experiential learning as well as explain what the decision makers learn as part of this learning process. Rather than measuring the stock of experiential knowledge, the thesis demonstrates how learning processes alter individual perceptions of foreign market opportunities. The findings reconfirm that change processes (i.e. experiential learning, building business networks and trust) are continuous, while market commitment decisions (i.e. market entry mode, degree of internationalisation) are intermittent. These findings precisely challenge the results of variance-based studies that rely on limited firm-level indicators to capture and analyse experiential learning processes. This thesis builds on the call of Johanson and Vahlne (2014) to broaden our understanding of the practice of the internationalisation of firms by focusing on the behavioural aspects of human decision-making, such as the role of business networks and trust. To date, there are few studies that explain what exactly is learnt as part of the internationalisation process and how this information and/or knowledge actually affects foreign market opportunity recognition. Experiential knowledge remains the pivotal aspect of the internationalisation process and this research helps to conceptualise and operationalise relevant theory and provide causal explanations