A Cognitive Mapping Approach to Business Models: Representing Causal Structures and Mechanisms

Research has highlighted the cognitive nature of the business model intended as a cognitive representation describing a business’ value creation and value capture activities. Whereas the content of the business model has been extensively investigated from this perspective, less attention has been paid to the business model’s causal structure – i.e. the pattern of causeeffect relations that, in top managers’ or entrepreneurs’ understandings, link value creation and value capture activities. Building on the strategic cognition literature, this paper argues that conceptualizing and analyzing business models as cognitive maps can shed light on four important properties of a business model’s causal structure: the levels of complexity, focus, and clustering that characterize the causal structure; and the mechanisms underlying the causal links featured in that structure. I use examples of business models drawn from the literature as illustrations to describe these four properties. Finally, I discuss the value of a cognitive mapping approach for augmenting extant theories and practices of business model design

Interstitial Spaces: Microinteraction Settings and the Genesis of New Practices Between Institutional Fields

I develop a model linking specific microinteraction dynamics between members of different institutional fields and the genesis of new practices. The model centers on the concept of interstitial spaces—that is, small-scale settings where individuals from different fields interact occasionally and informally around common activities to which they devote limited time (e.g., hobbyist clubs, hangouts, workshops, meet-ups). I argue that the features of interstitial spaces (e.g., their institutional diversity and their occasional and informal nature) facilitate the individuals interacting in these settings to temporarily break free from existing institutions and experiment collectively with new activities and ideas. However, these very same features hinder the constitution of such new activities and ideas into new practices. I identify two microlevel conditions that enable the new activities and ideas developed in interstitial spaces to be constituted into new practices: the emergence of successful interaction rituals, and the presence of catalysts sustaining others' interactions and assisting the construction of shared meanings

Product Design through a Systemic Lens of Ecological Economics

Products, tangible artefacts created through a process and intended for delivery to an end-user (Boundless, 2017), have been a primary method in addressing the needs and wants of people, making product designers a crucial link in envisioning and creating better futures. With increased uncertainty due to unsustainable production and consumption as well as questions of social equity, I have wondered if product designers can be instrumental in tackling these complex issues. In this paper, I look at the role of product design as an integral part of our lives and society, and how, since the domination of capitalism, the role and goals of design have changed due to the dominant reductive economic model it presents. I also explore various problem solution methodologies commonly used within the product design process to highlight strengths and deficiencies, and develop mental models that allow for "useful" visualizations. I believe this approach will lead to greater understandings on how externalities, material and energy throughput, socio-economic and ethical concerns can be included in future methodologies. I conclude by presenting an initial concept for a nested, hierarchical, complex adaptive system for the product development process that is comprised of a cycle encompassing both business and product design

A method for developing Reference Enterprise Architectures

Industrial change forces enterprises to constantly adjust their organizational structures in order to stay competitive. In this regard, research acknowledges the potential of Reference Enterprise Architectures (REA). This thesis proposes REAM - a method for developing REAs. After contrasting organizations' needs with approaches available in the current knowledge base, this work identifies the absence of method support for REA development. Proposing REAM, the author aims to close this research gap and evaluates the method's utility by applying REAM in different naturalistic settings

The Swedish ethnic food industry

The objective of this study is to identify, investigate, and explore ethnic entrepreneurs and mainstream retailers drivers, and problems behind the growing market for ethnic food in Sweden. In particular, the study will explore how these drivers and problems can be tackled and integrated to fit the new food experience among consumers that are demanding higher quality. In order for this study to be carried out as planned, a partial understanding of the ethnic food supply chain the ethnic entrepreneurs and mainstream retailers’ perspective will be discussed so as to shed more light and highlight the internetworking conditions among participants in this industry The research method is a qualitative one with the use of in depth interview to dig deep and explore the subject of study. An inductive approach is used to analyse the empiric s that showed some interesting findings. This was further discussed and expatiated on using a follow of narrative thoughts and concepts from the author’s perspective, and well renowned ideas, practices and academics work of selected researchers in the field. The drivers for entering into the ethnic food business were identified among ethnic entrepreneurs and mainstream retailers in Sweden. For the ethnic entrepreneurs these include the need to respond to the “want” of the consumers as well as create jobs and also integrating into the society. The findings showed that the mainstream retailers on the other hand, are driven into the market majorly as a result of their observation of the trends developing among ethnic consumer and the locals. The trend showed the popularity in ethnic food consumption and increased adaptation of global trend within the ethnic food market being adopted among mainstream retailers and ethnic entrepreneurs. Some of the problems identified where common to both retailers and the ethnic entrepreneurs while some were not. In a nut shell some of these problems were related to labelling, package presentation, product display, inadequate knowledge about the ethnic food products and some food concept, ethnic food sourcing, and institutional problem relating to the host country (i.e. Swedish in this case) system, unification of standardization and certification within the ethnic food certifiers and approval board. The writer further discussed interesting ideas on how to tackle these problems

Corporate vision and its influence on motivation in R&D organization: Case study

In the case company X it had been found in a working climate survey that the corporate vision had not been understood by the employees of the R&D organization although the personnel have relatively high work motivation levels. Previous studies have pointed out some special features in an R&D organization, the importance of learning and innovation in R&D organizations, what motivates and how to motivate R&D personnel, etc. However, these studies could not explain the previous contradiction that had been noticed in the case company. This study aims to describe the theoretical linkages between the corporate vision and the motivational issues of R&D personnel. The role of the corporate vision in the case R&D organization has been analyzed. The issues that have more potential to motivate the R&D personnel than the corporate vision are reviewed. Furthermore, this study also attempts to give practical implications for management on these aspects. This case study uses the qualitative method to answer questions that were left open by the quantitative survey study and to deepen and give a more detailed understanding of the mentioned contradiction. This study could be said to have an abductive research methodology approach, and the researcher had some leading theories ready to be tested during the research. Considering the research objectives, the most suitable research method to collect data was the general interview guide approach. This study revealed that motivating R&D employees by a corporate vision is far-fetched. The motivation for R&D employees was coming from other substantially more important sources. On the other hand, there could be some connections between the corporate vision and motivation, that appear, e.g., in projects and organizational culture. In this study it was found that, if the corporation did not establish a R&D vision, then R&D employees practiced visionary leadership themselves to construct a realistic, believable vision for the future of their organization. It was also found that the invented personal R&D vision was based on mainly unofficial information sources and second hand rumors. If an R&D employee sees the future as unfavorable, this deteriorates the working climate and lowers motivation and output levels. Technology leadership had a mental effect on R&D employees by raising their self-esteem as engineers, and it had a positive effect on employees’ long term motivation in the case R&D organization. The issues that were related to the research process in this study were discussed with senior researchers who have generally agreed on the achieved results. Also, the key informants had reviewed the draft and agreed on the results of this study.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

Construction material logistics management: the case of north-central Nigeria

The Management of Construction Material Logistics Systems plays a significant role in meeting the goals of cost, quality and time to completion of a construction project. Studies have revealed that the cost of construction materials is usually about 50%-60% of the total cost of the project and that the logistic cost accounts for between 17%-35% of the cost material. Fundamentally, it is accepted that any inefficiency in the delivery of construction material could lead to a time overrun and thus, a rise in construction costs addressing the operational performance of logistics would have a positive impact on the goals of a construction project. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the operational performance of material logistics in North-Central Nigeria as there is little specific research conducted on its effectiveness and efficiency. The methodology used included an extensive literature review and a field study conducted on ten quantitative approach that is rooted in the positivist paradigm, and purposive sampling techniques, was adopted. The descriptive method of data analysis was employed, and the findings and interpretations presented through graphs and images. Analysis of the findings led to the conclusion that material logistics did not operate as a system. There was almost no collaboration and integration of the logistics systems to create a synergistic interrelationship between functions in pursuit of higher overall effectiveness and efficiency. Improvement was needed in warehouse and transport operations and processes; technology and automation of logistics operations were absent, and delivery of material to customers was not effective. The implication was that the current materials logistics system did not meet the delivery goals of cost, quality and time of a construction project. The recommendations suggested included the adoption of the framework developed in this study. This would serve as a guide towards effective and efficient logistics management for material manufacturing firms, and for construction professionals