Intellectual Capital Architectures and Bilateral Learning: A Framework For Human Resource Management

Both researchers and managers are increasingly interested in how firms can pursue bilateral learning; that is, simultaneously exploring new knowledge domains while exploiting current ones (cf., March, 1991). To address this issue, this paper introduces a framework of intellectual capital architectures that combine unique configurations of human, social, and organizational capital. These architectures support bilateral learning by helping to create supplementary alignment between human and social capital as well as complementary alignment between people-embodied knowledge (human and social capital) and organization-embodied knowledge (organizational capital). In order to establish the context for bilateral learning, the framework also identifies unique sets of HR practices that may influence the combinations of human, social, and organizational capital

Modelling and simulation framework for reactive transport of organic contaminants in bed-sediments using a pure java object - oriented paradigm

Numerical modelling and simulation of organic contaminant reactive transport in the environment is being increasingly relied upon for a wide range of tasks associated with risk-based decision-making, such as prediction of contaminant profiles, optimisation of remediation methods, and monitoring of changes resulting from an implemented remediation scheme. The lack of integration of multiple mechanistic models to a single modelling framework, however, has prevented the field of reactive transport modelling in bed-sediments from developing a cohesive understanding of contaminant fate and behaviour in the aquatic sediment environment. This paper will investigate the problems involved in the model integration process, discuss modelling and software development approaches, and present preliminary results from use of CORETRANS, a predictive modelling framework that simulates 1-dimensional organic contaminant reaction and transport in bed-sediments

Diversity in IS research : a fictive metaphor analysis

In striving to understand Information Systems phenomena Information Systems researchers frequently draw on a seemingly endless array of different disciplines to inform their studies. This act has drawn both the ire and admiration of those within the field as well as those outside its porous boundaries. On the one hand Information Systems researchers are berated for being chaotic and schizophrenic in their combined research endeavour - for producing a collective output that shows neither rhyme nor reason. On the other hand they are praised for being intellectually open and democratic in their approach. These reactions draw their strength from the many issues that stem from diversity in Information Systems research. These reactions are stimulated in part by the assertion that research in the Information Systems discipline is diverse. Despite this assertion not much is known or understood about diversity in Information Systems research. This thesis addresses this critical oversight by making research diversity the prime focus. The contributions it makes to current understandings of research diversity in Information Systems are philosophical, theoretical and empirical. Philosophically, this thesis relies on the novel approach of fictism - a blend of positivism and interpretivism. Theoretically, it explores diversity through the alternative lens of concepts. Empirically it examines the conceptual diversity of three key Information Systems concepts: organisations, technology and people. Grounded in Lakoff and Johnson's (1980) work with metaphors, the results show that Information Systems research may not be as diverse as was initially thought. Of the three primary views of key Information Systems concepts - machine, organism and culture - the study finds a distinct bias toward conceptualising these concepts as machines. This bias, one that exists at the very core of the Information Systems research endeavour, has important implications not only for individual researchers but the broader Information Systems community alike

Managing Open Innovation: An Exploration of Information Technologies and Open Search Patterns

Product presentation in e-commerce has gained substantial attention from disciplines including information systems, marketing, psychology and management. Many studies compare newly emerging technologies and innovative presentation formats to traditional use of two-dimensional text and pictures. However, the emergent nature of these new technologies, like consumer focused virtual reality, results in instability of form and function in three-dimensional environments. This literature review synthesises the findings of extant literature, discusses important theoretical foundations and identifies the most popular research theories and research methods utilised. Additionally, it classifies constructs used to capture characteristics of presentation formats, consumers’ reactions and performance, as well as marketing-related effects (e.g. attitudes to product and purchase intention). Furthermore, some potential misinterpretation of terms used to describe product presentation have been identified. The literature review concludes with a discussion of implications and suggestions for future research of product presentation in e-commerce contexts

Towards Agile Workforce – Case Study Research in Three Companies

Many companies today face a highly turbulent and volatile environment caused by intense foreign competition, rapid technological change, shorter product life-cycles, and customers demand- ing more customized products. Several strategies have been developed to deal with unpredictability in the environment. Agility and agile methods have been widely accepted as a new competitive concept in many countries, including Finland. However, the understanding of how to build agile organizations remains weak. The thesis provides initial empirical evidence to better understand essential elements of agile workforce and their relationship with organizational agility. More specifically, the research aims to understand and describe the concept of workforce agility in the selected case companies. The second goal is to discover the management practices, methods and tools that the case companies have adopted in order to enable and support the actions of an agile workforce. The thesis employs qualitative research methods with empirical approach doing semi- structured interviews in case study companies and conceptual approach using previous academic research. The case study companies are OP, DNA and Alma Media. The phenomenon of developing an agile workforce is rather new in large previously traditional organizations in Finland. Consequently, the study is exploratory by nature and aims to increase familiarity of the phenomenon in the Finnish context. The different cases were studied through interviews with managers that have been in a superior decision-making position and responsible for the change process, and managers or employees that have participated the implementation of the change process. Also, a HR specialist from Vincit was interviewed for her expertise on enterprise agility. According to the findings employees’ agile capabilities and attitudes towards agility are important factors when transforming towards enterprise agility. Findings show that companies that aim to make their organization more agile face two kinds of challenges. Firstly, companies must be able to arouse excitement and interest towards agility among employees. The second challenge concerns enabling agile work and managing the frustrations that arise. To deal with these challenges case companies employed similar practices, tools and methods that enable change management, change attitudes and culture, increase internal communication, knowledge sharing and cooperation; support empowerment and work organization, and promote new work methods and training