Organisational self-renewal : process design

Firms compete based on their relative ability to renew as much as they do on their ability to extract profits from product-markets. Drawing from literature and case studies the research explores how renewal is affected in organisations. The main dynamics of the renewal process, and the issues and skills involved in its management, therefore, receive detailed treatment. Relevant data is gathered from a variety of primary and secondary sources. The research begins with an effort to understand the forces that trigger and processes that act to sustain decline in organisations. These findings are contrasted with a number of case studies that serve the identification of underlying characteristics and dynamics common to successful organizations. This comparison serves to uncover principles of successful organisation and that hold the key to renewal and sustained growth. The main objective of this research is to increase the understanding and awareness of the processes, problems and successful means of organisational renewal. Underlying is the concern to develop more formalised models and translate these findings into a useful conceptual framework as a basis and stimulus for further research and as a helpful guideline for management practitioners to handle successfully the problems of entropy and organisational ossification of their business

Manager’s and citizen’s perspective of positive and negative risks for small probabilities

So far „risk‟ has been mostly defined as the expected value of a loss, mathematically PL, being P the probability of an adverse event and L the loss incurred as a consequence of the event. The so called risk matrix is based on this definition. Also for favorable events one usually refers to the expected gain PG, being G the gain incurred as a consequence of the positive event. These “measures” are generally violated in practice. The case of insurances (on the side of losses, negative risk) and the case of lotteries (on the side of gains, positive risk) are the most obvious. In these cases a single person is available to pay a higher price than that stated by the mathematical expected value, according to (more or less theoretically justified) measures. The higher the risk, the higher the unfair accepted price. The definition of risk as expected value is justified in a long term “manager‟s” perspective, in which it is conceivable to distribute the effects of an adverse event on a large number of subjects or a large number of recurrences. In other words, this definition is mostly justified on frequentist terms. Moreover, according to this definition, in two extreme situations (high-probability/low-consequence and low-probability/high-consequence), the estimated risk is low. This logic is against the principles of sustainability and continuous improvement, which should impose instead both a continuous search for lower probabilities of adverse events (higher and higher reliability) and a continuous search for lower impact of adverse events (in accordance with the fail-safe principle). In this work a different definition of risk is proposed, which stems from the idea of safeguard: (1Risk)=(1P)(1L). According to this definition, the risk levels can be considered low only when both the probability of the adverse event and the loss are small. Such perspective, in which the calculation of safeguard is privileged to the calculation of risk, would possibly avoid exposing the Society to catastrophic consequences, sometimes due to wrong or oversimplified use of probabilistic models. Therefore, it can be seen as the citizen‟s perspective to the definition of risk

Analysing Volunteer Engagement in Humanitarian Crowdmapping

Organisers of large crowdsourcing initiatives need to consider how to produce outcomes, but also how to build volunteer capacity. Central concerns include the impact of the first-time contributor experience, and the interplay of different modes of participation in larger organisations that host multiple strands of activity. How can volunteer capacity be built proactively, so that trained volunteers are available when needed? How important are opportunities for social encounter, either online or in person? We present four empirical studies of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), a novel setting where thousands of volunteers produce maps to support humanitarian aid. Its diversity of settings and activities provides an opportunity to observe the effects of different coordination practices within a single organisation. Participation is online and open to all, however volunteers need to learn specialist tools and workflows. To support newcomers, HOT organises offline events to learn the practice under expert guidance. Our research is motivated by a dual aim: first, to produce empirical evaluations of novel practices, informed by existing community concerns. Second, to revisit existing theories in social and behavioural science through the lens of this novel setting. We use statistical methods to observe the activity and retention of HOT volunteers. The full HOT contribution history is our primary source of empirical evidence, covering multiple years of activity. We can demonstrate that coordination practices have a marked impact on contributor retention. Complex task designs can be a deterrent, while social contribution settings and peer feedback are associated with a significant increase in newcomer retention. We further find that event-centric campaigns can be significant recruiting and reactivation events, however that this is not guaranteed. Our analytical methods provide a means of interpreting key differences in outcomes. We relate our findings to comparable settings, and close with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications

Process Project Portfolio Management : Considering Process and Project Interactions in Process Decision-Making

Die Prozessorientierung ist ein zentrales Paradigma der Organisationsgestaltung und ein anerkannter Treiber des Unternehmenserfolgs. Das Management und die Verbesserung betrieblicher Prozesse genießen daher hohe Aufmerksamkeit in Wissenschaft und Praxis. Eine zentrale Frage an der Schnittstelle zwischen traditioneller und betriebswirtschaftlich orientierter Prozessmanagementforschung ist, wie sich die Entwicklung von Prozessmanagementfähigkeiten und die Verbesserung einzelner Prozesse über die Zeit hinweg integriert planen lassen. Während die Verbesserung einzelner Prozesse die Prozessleistung erhöht und somit unmittelbar zum Unternehmenserfolg beiträgt, erleichtern Prozessmanagementfähigkeiten die künftige Ausführung und Verbesserung von Prozessen und tragen somit mittelbar zum Unternehmenserfolg bei. Vor diesem Hintergrund untersucht diese Dissertation die Schnittstelle zwischen der Verbesserung einzelner Prozesse und der Entwicklung von übergreifenden Prozessmanagementfähigkeiten und bezieht sich dabei auf das Forschungsgebiet des Prozessprojektportfoliomanagements. Daher ist es das Ziel dieser Arbeit Prozess- und Projektabhängigkeiten innerhalb von Prozessmanagemententscheidungen bei der integrierten Planung der Verbesserung von Prozessen und der Entwicklung von Prozessmanagementfähigkeiten zu untersuchen. Hierzu verdeutlicht das erste Kapitel die Notwendigkeit für Forschung an der Schnittstelle von Prozessverbesserung und der Entwicklung von Prozessmanagementfähigkeiten. Außerdem wird das Forschungsgebiet des Prozessprojektportfoliomanagements strukturiert, der Fokus der Dissertation sowie die untersuchten Forschungsfragen aufgezeigt und der individuelle Beitrag des Autors zu den beinhalteten Forschungsbeiträgen präsentiert. Das zweite Kapitel stellt das Forschungsgebiet des Prozessprojektportfoliomanagements in Detail vor und erarbeitet eine Forschungsagenda. Das dritte Kapitel fokussiert sich auf die integrierte Planung der Verbesserung einzelner Prozesse und der Entwicklung von Prozessmanagementfähigkeiten. Hierzu wird ein Planungsmodell vorgestellt, das Unternehmen unter Berücksichtigung von Projekteffekten auf die Prozessleistung sowie von Abhängigkeiten zwischen Projekten dabei unterstützt welche Projekte in welcher Reihenfolge durchgeführt werden sollten. Außerdem wird in diesem Kapitel eine Software vorgestellt die es ermöglicht die Auswahl und Reihenfolge dieser Projekte zu berechnen, darzustellen und zu analysieren. Das vierte Kapitel untersucht die Vernetzung von Prozessen. Hierzu wird der ProcessPageRank(PPR) Algorithmus vorgestellt, der Unternehmen dabei unterstützt Prozesspriorisierungen unter Berücksichtigung der Vernetzung von Prozessen vorzunehmen. Das fünfte Kapitel fokussiert sich auf Prozessmanagementfähigkeiten und untersucht wie diese sich im Lichte der Zukunft der Arbeit weiterentwickeln müssen. Das sechste Kapitel fasst die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der Dissertation zusammen und schließt mit den Herausforderungen für die zukünftige Forschung

Regional clustering through internet networks: the case of web-enabled entrepreneurial cluster in China

This research examines the rationale of geographic co-location of entrepreneurs who do business on internet platforms. Prior research has shown that entrepreneurs gain valuable synergy benefits from being embedded in industrial networks. Nevertheless, the advantages of geographic clustering when business is conducted via the internet are still to be understood. This research aims to understand how internet-based economic activity interacts with local social relations and structures, thus seeking to explain the phenomenon of industrial clustering of internet-enabled entrepreneurial activity. Guided by theories of relational and institutional embeddedness, we examine the way social relations are formed online, trace the rationale of local social relations while business is conducted online, and study the role of major institutional actors that support the economic activities of the entrepreneurs. Empirically, this thesis examines two regional clusters of Chinese microentrepreneurs who conduct their business on an e-commerce platform and form dynamic interpersonal ties with business partners and customers both online and offline. The method of ethnographic case study is adopted to gain in depth understanding of the ways various internet networking tools have been appropriated in business practice in these two cases and the ways local microentrepreneurs build up collaborative networks in geographic place as well as cyberspace. The study of Chinese micro-entrepreneurs reveals and substantiates the formation of a hybrid sociality, whereby economic exchange via the internet and business conducted by electronic tools are complemented by local social relations and actively supported by local government and the IT service corporation. This research also contributes to development policy considerations; it shows that regions that are usually unattractive to capital and knowledge/talent flows can gain economic development momentum by entangling the conduct of business on web platforms with local social institutions

Regional clustering through internet networks: the case of web-enabled entrepreneurial cluster in China

This research examines the rationale of geographic co-location of entrepreneurs who do business on internet platforms. Prior research has shown that entrepreneurs gain valuable synergy benefits from being embedded in industrial networks. Nevertheless, the advantages of geographic clustering when business is conducted via the internet are still to be understood. This research aims to understand how internet-based economic activity interacts with local social relations and structures, thus seeking to explain the phenomenon of industrial clustering of internet-enabled entrepreneurial activity. Guided by theories of relational and institutional embeddedness, we examine the way social relations are formed online, trace the rationale of local social relations while business is conducted online, and study the role of major institutional actors that support the economic activities of the entrepreneurs. Empirically, this thesis examines two regional clusters of Chinese microentrepreneurs who conduct their business on an e-commerce platform and form dynamic interpersonal ties with business partners and customers both online and offline. The method of ethnographic case study is adopted to gain in depth understanding of the ways various internet networking tools have been appropriated in business practice in these two cases and the ways local microentrepreneurs build up collaborative networks in geographic place as well as cyberspace. The study of Chinese micro-entrepreneurs reveals and substantiates the formation of a hybrid sociality, whereby economic exchange via the internet and business conducted by electronic tools are complemented by local social relations and actively supported by local government and the IT service corporation. This research also contributes to development policy considerations; it shows that regions that are usually unattractive to capital and knowledge/talent flows can gain economic development momentum by entangling the conduct of business on web platforms with local social institutions

The mental health nurse experience of providing care for people with delirium superimposed on dementia: influences in an activity system

Background: People with severe dementia are frequently cared for by registered mental health nurses due to their often complex cognitive or psychological care needs. This may present challenges in practice due to the inter relatedness of physical and mental health that accompanies dementia, not least the presentation of delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD). This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of mental health nurses who provide care for people with DSD. This will support better understanding of what influences or impacts their work. Methodology and Methods: Using Activity Theory to guide the study throughout, a mixed methods exploratory sequential design was constructed. Semi structured interviews were undertaken to collect qualitative data, before a quantitative exploration through questionnaire development and completion. Data analysis was undertaken utilising framework analysis in the qualitative phase, and descriptive statistics in the quantitative phase. Integration of data was undertaken, and findings presented in an activity system graphic. Participants were registered mental health nurses working in 24-hour care settings for people with dementia. Findings: Five key themes emerged from the data: 1. For RNMHs to use tools (such as scores or guidelines), they need to see them as useful and contextually relevant. Whilst they are aware of tools, they may choose not to use them if they do not see the value in them. 2. Knowing the person for whom they provide care is central and personal. The RNMHs favour aesthetic ways of knowing and use this to guide their care provision. 3. Hierarchy within the multidisciplinary team remains, however this is not seen as a negative. The RNMHs feel supported and secure within their wider MDT. 4. Burdens of care felt by the RNMHs is driven by the care environment and care context. 6. There remains a disconnection of mental and physical health in both care environments and how the RNMHs see their role