79,574 research outputs found
Anticipation and the Non-linear Dynamics of Meaning-Processing in Social Systems
Social order does not exist as a stable phenomenon, but can be considered as
"an order of reproduced expectations." When anticipations operate upon one
another, they can generate a non-linear dynamics which processes meaning.
Although specific meanings can be stabilized, for example in social
institutions, all meaning arises from a global horizon of possible meanings.
Using Luhmann's (1984) social systems theory and Rosen's (1985) theory of
anticipatory systems, I submit algorithms for modeling the non-linear dynamics
of meaning in social systems. First, a self-referential system can use a model
of itself for the anticipation. Under the condition of functional
differentiation, the social system can be expected to entertain a set of
models; each model can also contain a model of the other models. Two
anticipatory mechanisms are then possible: a transversal one between the
models, and a longitudinal one providing the system with a variety of meanings.
A system containing two anticipatory mechanisms can become hyper-incursive.
Without making decisions, however, a hyper-incursive system would be overloaded
with uncertainty. Under this pressure, informed decisions tend to replace the
"natural preferences" of agents and a knowledge-based order can increasingly be
shaped
SMEs; Virtual research and development (R&D) teams and new product development: A literature review
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are indeed the engines of global economic growth. Their continued growth is a major subject for the economy and employment of any country. Towards that end, virtual research and development (R&D) could be a viable option to sustain and ease the operations of SMEs. However, literature shows there has not been a great deal of research into the diverse characteristic of virtual R&D teams in SMEs. This article provides a comprehensive literature review on different aspects of virtual R&D teams collected from the reputed publications. The purpose of the literature review is to provide an outline on the structure and dynamics of R&D collaboration in SMEs. Specifying the rationale and relevance of virtual teams, the relationship between virtual R&D team for SMEs and new product development (NPD) has been examined. It concludes with identifying the gaps and feebleness in the existing literature and calls for future research in this area. It is argued to form of virtual R&D team deserves consideration at top level management for venturing into the new product development within SMEs
Virtual R&D teams in small and medium enterprises: a literature review
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the driving engine behind economic growth. While SMEs play a critical role in generating employment and supporting trade, they face numerous challenges, the prominent among them are the need to respond to fasting time-to-market, low-cost and rapid solutions to complex organizational problems. Towards that end, research and development (R & D) aspect deserves particular attention to promote and facilitate the operations of SMEs. Virtual R & D team could be a viable option. However, literature shows that virtual R & D teaming in SMEs is still at its infancy. This article provides a comprehensive literature review on different aspects of virtual R & D teams collected from the reputed publications. The purpose of the state-of-the-art literature review is to provide an overview on the structure and dynamics of R & D collaboration in SMEs. Specifying the foundation and importance of virtual teams, the relationship between virtual R & D team and SMEs has been examined. It concludes with the identification of the gaps in the existing literature's and calls for future research. It is argued that setting-up an infrastructure for virtual R & D team in SMEs still requires a large amount of engineering efforts and deserves consideration at top level management
The Triple Helix, Quadruple Helix, . . ., and an N-tuple of Helices: Explanatory Models for Analyzing the Knowledge-based Economy?
Using the Triple Helix model of university-industry-government relations, one
can measure the extent to which innovation has become systemic instead of
assuming the existence of national (or regional) systems of innovations on a
priori grounds. Systemness of innovation patterns, however, can be expected to
remain in transition because of integrating and differentiating forces.
Integration among the functions of wealth creation, knowledge production, and
normative control takes place at the interfaces in organizations, while
exchanges on the market, scholarly communication in knowledge production, and
political discourse tend to differentiate globally. The neo-institutional and
the neo-evolutionary versions of the Triple Helix model enable us to capture
this tension reflexively. Empirical studies inform us whether more than three
helices are needed for the explanation. The Triple Helix indicator can be
extended algorithmically, for example, with local-global as a fourth dimension
or, more generally, to an N-tuple of helices
Can Synergy in Triple-Helix Relations be Quantified? A Review of the Development of the Triple-Helix Indicator
Triple-Helix arrangements of bi- and trilateral relations can be considered
as adaptive eco-systems. During the last decade, we have further developed a
Triple-Helix indicator of synergy as reduction of uncertainty in niches that
can be shaped among three or more distributions. Reduction of uncertainty can
be generated in correlations among distributions of relations, but this
(next-order) effect can be counterbalanced by uncertainty generated in the
relations. We first explain the indicator, and then review possible results
when this indicator is applied to (i) co-author networks of academic,
industrial, and governmental authors and (ii) synergies in the distributions of
firms over geographical addresses, technological classes, and industrial-size
classes for a number of nations. Co-variation is then considered as a measure
of relationship. The balance between globalizing and localizing dynamics can be
quantified. Too much synergy locally can also be considered as lock-in.
Tendencies are different for the globalizing knowledge dynamics versus locally
retaining wealth from knowledge in industrial innovations
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