Working Alone Together: Coordination in Collaboration across Domains of Expertise

This study develops theory on how coordination occurs in collaboration across multiple expert domains. Ethnographic fieldwork at two top U.S. universities explored the emerging field of systems biology cancer research, an extreme case of cross-functional work. Scientists make diverse contributions compatible by engaging in the coordination practices of joint assessment and consultation and in the collaborative practices of counterprojection and alignment. The study advances a process model of coordination as an ensemble of different types of practices that drive collaboration across domains. Insights into how experts coordinate work within domains and how this affects temporal dynamics of collective work have implications for the literature on crossfunctional coordination, innovation, and practice. © 2013 Academy of Management Journal

Leveraging functionality in safety routines: Examining the divergence of rules and performance

This study advances our understanding of why and how the performance of standardized safety routines varies. Based on six months of field research and interviews in a molecular biology laboratory, this study examines the divergence of safety regulations and actual routine performance. It identifies distinct routine components that address different aspects of safety. While safety regulations and training aim at preventing adverse effects of hazardous substances on the scientists, the scientists are concerned about potential contamination of their experiments. This study investigates the relationship between organizational and scientific objectives. It argues that organizational objectives fall behind scientific objectives in safety routine performance to the extent that their pursuit requires a set of actions separate from those actions that suffice to meet the scientists' professional concern. © The Author(s), 2009

Future-Oriented Research Platform For Orbital Cryogenic Storage Technologies (FROST)

To enable human space missions to mars and beyond, future payload mass needs to increase significantly. Cryogenic propellants with both high specific impulse and with the possibility of fuel production on mars make them an excellent choice for these types of missions. Using cryogenic propellants for missions longer than a few hours has several challenges including the need to minimize liquid losses due to boil-off caused by low storage temperatures and to manage the low-g issues. In this paper, a Future Oriented Research Platform For Orbital Cryogenic Storage Technologies (FROST) is proposed as a possible payload for DLRs own satellite program CompSat (500 kg class) in order to be able to carry out an important and necessary development step. The platform is intended to demonstrate new technologies for long-term storage of cryogenic media and to achieve new scientific knowledge about fluid behavior under reduced gravity. The essential elements of the platform are a super-insulated storage tank, a transparent experiment tank and a transparent transfer line. It is planned to realize the mission together with NASA GRC. In the paper, the results of the system study are presented and the possibilities of the platform are explained