How to analyze dynamic network patterns of high performing teams

AbstractThe dynamic communication network within teams affects the performance of teams. But how can we analyze these emerging networks? We identified three research areas that have to be included for this purpose. First we summarize empirical studies concerning team networks and performance to point out the need of longitudinal investigations. Second we present the multi-level multi-theoretical model by Monge and Contractor (2003) which provides a theoretical framework to explain the evolution of communication networks within teams. Third a stochastic model is introduced that allows analyzing event based data, like e-mail streams, using exponential random graph models. We propose to include these three research areas that enable researchers and practitioners to analyze dynamic network patterns of virtual teams

A process pattern language for coordinated software development

In distributed and collocated teams we often find problems in the organizational process structures. Though process patterns have been around for many years, there has been little research in categorizing the different solutions to various problems dealing with coordination, for easy access by practitioners. This study aims to describe a way to use the emerging idea of a pattern language to deal with problems related to coordination in software development. The patterns are a result of conclusive statements in the information systems and software engineering field and a pattern language is used to develop these patterns. We propose a technique to convert the knowledge base in IS and CS research on coordination into process patterns which are more accessible to practitioners

Team sports performance analysed through the lens of social network theory: implications for research and practice

This paper discusses how social network analyses and graph theory can be implemented in team sports performance analyses to evaluate individual (micro) and collective (macro) performance data, and how to use this information for designing practice tasks. Moreover, we briefly outline possible limitations of social network studies and provide suggestions for future research. Instead of cataloguing discrete events or player actions, it has been argued that researchers need to consider the synergistic interpersonal processes emerging between teammates in competitive performance environments. Theoretical assumptions on team coordination prompted the emergence of innovative, theoretically-driven methods for assessing collective team sport behaviours. Here, we contribute to this theoretical and practical debate by conceptualising sports teams as complex social networks. From this perspective, players are viewed as network nodes, connected through relevant information variables (e.g., a ball passing action), sustaining complex patterns of interaction between teammates (e.g., a ball passing network). Specialized tools and metrics related to graph theory could be applied to evaluate structural and topological properties of interpersonal interactions of teammates, complementing more traditional analysis methods. This innovative methodology moves beyond use of common notation analysis methods, providing a richer understanding of the complexity of interpersonal interactions sustaining collective team sports performance. The proposed approach provides practical applications for coaches, performance analysts, practitioners and researchers by establishing social network analyses as a useful approach for capturing the emergent properties of interactions between players in sports teams

Разработка механизма формирования дополнительных возможностей сетевой проектной группы как основы конкурентных преимуществ ИТ-компании

The article shows the relevance of creating network project teams to improve the efficiency of project management. The purpose and objectives of the study is to create a mechanism for the formation of additional capabilities of network design teams to improve competitive advantages. The paper presents the results of experiments conducted by Jonathan Cummings and Carol Pletcher on the observations of several successful and unsuccessful design structures in the conditions of creating new products, communicating with customers and working on increasing operational performance. The results of the experiment revealed the advantages and disadvantages of network design structures and formed the requirements for an ideal project management system. The results of the experiments determined the additional capabilities of network design teams that form the competitive advantages of IT companies. These capabilities are presented as an external and internal resource of the network project team. The article develops a scheme of response of network structure to external influences. This scheme will further determine the competitive advantages of network design structures by creating new competencies. The response of the conventional and network project team to the need for new competencies is also reflected in the present work. The mechanism of compensation of the revealed shortcomings and formation of additional opportunities of network design structures is presented. A schematic diagram of the cause-and-effect relationships of processes and subsystems that make up the mechanism of increasing competitiveness through the use of a network approach.En este artículo se muestra la importancia de crear equipos de diseño de red para mejorar la gestión de proyectos. Se ha identificado el objetivo y la tarea del estudio de crear un mecanismo para la creación de nuevas capacidades de los equipos de proyectos en red para aumentar las ventajas competitivas. Se presentan los resultados de los experimentos realizados por Jonathan Cummings y Carol Fletcher tras observar el trabajo de varias estructuras de diseño exitosas y fallidas en el contexto de la creación de nuevos productos, la comunicación con los clientes y el trabajo para aumentar los indicadores operativos. Los resultados del experimento revelaron las ventajas y desventajas de las estructuras de diseño de red y permitieron formar los requisitos para un sistema de gestión de proyectos ideal. Los resultados de los experimentos determinan las capacidades adicionales de los equipos de diseño de red, que forman las ventajas competitivas de las empresas de TI. Estas características se presentan como un recurso externo e interno del equipo de diseño de red. Se ha desarrollado un esquema de respuesta de la estructura de red a los impactos externos. Este esquema en el futuro hará posible determinar las ventajas competitivas de las estructuras de diseño de red mediante la creación de nuevas competencias. La respuesta de los equipos de proyectos convencionales y de red a la necesidad de nuevas competencias también se refleja en este artículo. Asimismo, se proporciona un mecanismo para compensar las deficiencias detectadas y crear más capacidad para las estructuras de diseño de red. Se ha elaborado un marco de referencia para los vínculos causales entre los procesos y los subsistemas que constituyen un mecanismo para aumentar la competitividad mediante un enfoque basado en la red.Este artigo mostra a importância de criar equipes de design de rede para melhorar o gerenciamento de projetos. O objetivo e a tarefa do estudo foram identificados para criar um mecanismo para a criação de novas capacidades das equipes de projeto de rede para aumentar as vantagens competitivas. Os resultados dos experimentos realizados por Jonathan Cummings e Carol Fletcher são apresentados após observar o trabalho de várias estruturas de design bem-sucedidas e malsucedidas no contexto de criação de novos produtos, comunicação com os clientes e trabalho para aumentar os indicadores operacionais. Os resultados do experimento revelaram as vantagens e desvantagens das estruturas de projeto de rede e permitiram formar os requisitos para um sistema ideal de gerenciamento de projetos. Os resultados dos experimentos determinam as capacidades adicionais das equipes de design de rede, que formam as vantagens competitivas das empresas de TI. Essas características são apresentadas como um recurso externo e interno da equipe de design de rede. Um esquema de resposta da estrutura da rede aos impactos externos foi desenvolvido. Este esquema permitirá, no futuro, determinar as vantagens competitivas das estruturas de projeto de rede, criando novas competências. A resposta das equipes de projetos convencionais e de rede à necessidade de novas competências também é refletida neste artigo. Além disso, é fornecido um mecanismo para compensar as deficiências detectadas e criar mais capacidade para as estruturas de projeto de rede. Uma estrutura de referência para os elos causais entre processos e subsistemas que constituem um mecanismo para aumentar a competitividade por meio de uma abordagem baseada em rede foi desenvolvida.В статье показана актуальность создания сетевых проектных групп для повышения эффективности управления проектами. Выявлена цель и задачи исследования по созданию механизма формирования дополнительных возможностей сетевых проектных групп по повышению конкурентных преимуществ. Представлены результаты экспериментов, проведенных Джонатаном Каммингсом и Кэролом Плетчером по наблюдениям за работой нескольких успешных и неуспешных проектных структур в условиях создании новых продуктов, коммуникации с клиентами и при работе над увеличением показателей оперативной деятельности. По результатам эксперимента выявлены достоинства и недостатки сетевых проектных структур и сформированы требования к идеальной системе управления проектом. По результатам экспериментов определены дополнительные возможности сетевых проектных групп, формирующие конкурентные преимущества ИТ - компаний. Данные возможности представлены в виде внешнего и внутреннего ресурса сетевой проектной группы. Разработана схема реагирования сетевой структуры на внешние воздействия. Данная схема в дальнейшем и будет определять конкурентные преимущества сетевых проектных структур путем создания новых компетенциях. Схема реагирования обычной и сетевой проектной группы на необходимость в новых компетенциях также отражена в работе. Представлен механизм компенсации выявленных недостатков и формирования дополнительных возможностей сетевых проектных структур. Разработана принципиальная схема причинно-следственных связей процессов и подсистем, составляющих механизма повышения конкурентоспособности за счет использования сетевого подхода

Networks in Assembly: Investigating Social Factors in Robotic Automation

Automation will be one of the shaping influences of the coming decades. The increased application of robots in assembly will undoubtedly change these work environments. However, studies which attempt to predict the effect on the labour market resulting from the automation of work processes and the replacement of jobs suffer from overly simplistic dichotomy between routine and non-routine tasks. In contrast, research at the micro-level of the shop floor has shown that even routine tasks draw heavily on informal knowledge and experience. This paper reviews the concepts which describe these work processes and the necessary forms of knowledge and experience. I then argue that the literature on social networks in organisations can provide useful conceptual and methodical tools to investigate how these kinds of knowledge and experience are transferred between workers. Social network research therefore can serve as a way to shed light on the social factors in robotic automation. The paper concludes with the opportunities which the application of network analysis to assembly can provide for social network research itself.Programa europeu Erasmus+info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Conditions for entrepreneurship development in creative industries in Portugal

Conferência realizada em Viena, Áustria, de 15-17 de março de 2015Creative Industries are at the core of the development of modern societies, fuelling innovation and promoting the development of new business models. However, the adequate conditions for the development of Creative Industries is not usually spontaneous, and must be developed. At the same time, likewise other types of entrepreneurs, creative entrepreneurs present some idiosyncratic characteristics that make them “special”. In the present paper we present the preliminary results for Portugal, of a large study conducted among creative entrepreneurs in some Southern European countries and in the UK, under an EU project. The principal objective of this paper is to present the conditions that established creative entrepreneurs in Portugal consider vital for their establishment and the inherent development of their businesses. We conclude that the development of creative entrepreneurship has implicit specific characteristics that differentiate it from the overall entrepreneurship picture, and that creative entrepreneurs, although present also some differences according to the different sectors of creative industries considered, are in themselves different from the general entrepreneurs. This may have consequences at the level of public policies’ conception and implementation that must be considered by the countries that want to promote entrepreneurship in creative industries