Cooperation and learning in an evolutionary context

Only abstract. Paper copies of master’s theses are listed in the Helka database (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Electronic copies of master’s theses are either available as open access or only on thesis terminals in the Helsinki University Library.Vain tiivistelmä. Sidottujen gradujen saatavuuden voit tarkistaa Helka-tietokannasta (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Digitaaliset gradut voivat olla luettavissa avoimesti verkossa tai rajoitetusti kirjaston opinnäytekioskeilla.Endast sammandrag. Inbundna avhandlingar kan sökas i Helka-databasen (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Elektroniska kopior av avhandlingar finns antingen öppet på nätet eller endast tillgängliga i bibliotekets avhandlingsterminaler.This thesis studies the evolution of conditional cooperation in a population where social norms are present. The model of Spichtig and Traxler (2007) is based in a public good setting where the members can choose to cooperate, contribute to the public good and adhere to the social norm or free-ride, not contribute towards the public good and thus break the social norm. Norm breaking sanctions imposed on any individual who chooses to behave in the latter manner. The exact degree of these norm sanctions on an individual's utility is determined by her individual norm sensitivity level, due to which some agents with a high norm sensitivity experience a higher utility loss from the norm sanctions in comparison with agents a lower degree of norm sensitivity. The model predicts for the population to evolve towards two equilibrium states which are characterised by a differing fraction of free-riders of the entire population. Two distinct models on learning are used to analyse further the learning mechanisms that might take place in such a population on an individual level. The model of Ellison and Fudenberg (1993) and the model of Banerjee and Fudenberg (2004) are similar in that they study a learning process of an individual in terms of new technology adoption. The former concentrates on horizontal learning which takes place within one generation and is based on mere observational clues whereas the latter analyses vertical learning taking place between generations and is based on more comlex word-of-mouth clues that are exchanged between members in the population and new entrants. Both of these models thereby us external clues as the means of learning of agents but differ in terms of what kind of learning is studied, intra-generational or inter-generational. The circumstances in and assumptions under which learning takes place in these two models are found to fit the model of the evolution of cooperation rather well and they could predict the learning mechanisms of this model in an individual level rather well

Towards Dynamic Exploration and Exploitation – Reviewing Ambidexterity in the Digital Era

The proliferation of digital technologies is providing organisations with new business opportunities as well as challenging them to transform their existing business models. Accordingly, IS scholars are increasingly striving to understand how incumbents are able to leverage digital technologies, while also maintaining efficiency and reliability of existing operations. A prominent concept that IS scholars have drawn upon to examine these opposing activities is ambidexterity. As yet, we however lack a synthesised view of ambidexterity approaches and outcomes in the digital era. We conduct a systematic literature review to examine what ambidexterity approaches exist for incumbents and what is known about the outcomes of ambidexterity in the digital era. We synthesise three ambidexterity approaches recently put forward by IS scholars and conclude that ambidexterity outcomes remain somewhat obscure. Finally, we suggest four avenues for future IS research on ambidexterity

Conceptualizing Knowledge in Digital Innovation Labs

This paper examines the types of knowledge involved in IT exploration and exploitation; and how individuals can manage them. We focus on a particular organizational context described in previous research where individuals transfer between a digital innovation lab (DIL) and the existing organization for periods of time. Drawing on existent literature, we conceptualize six types of knowledge and relate them to the behaviors of learning, applying and intentional forgetting. We illustrate our conceptualization with two vignettes based on empirical data. Our conceptualization raises awareness of potential knowledge-related challenges associated with DILs, and provides insight on the composition of knowledge managed in a DIL to support fruitful IT exploration and digital innovation. Given the importance of digital innovation for today’s organizations, understanding the types of knowledge in a DIL set-up is of vital importance

Integrating Structural IT Ambidexterity: A Multiple Case Study in

To enhance their capability for innovation, many established organizations are setting up IT units, referred to as agile IT, dedicated to exploring new technologies and the development of innovative solutions (IT exploration). These units may be structurally separated from the established IT function, referred to as traditional IT, which retains responsibility for the exploitation of the existing IT assets (IT exploitation). Pursuing IT exploration and IT exploitation with such separation is commonly referred to as structural IT ambidexterity. The two organizational units, agile IT and traditional IT, are differentiated in their objectives, management approaches, cultures and ways of working, but are however interdependent. With the features of differentiation and interdependence in mind, we draw on organizational literature to formulate five propositions relating to the integration of differentiated agile IT and traditional IT units whose

Supporting Knowledge Integration with Low-Code Development Platforms

By doing away with the necessity of writing code, low-code development platforms (LCDPs) offer to open up software development to non-IT employees. Consequently, they hold promise for harnessing specialized knowledge that is distributed across an organization for innovation. While the adoption of LCDPs is accelerating in organizations, academic scholars are yet to focus on their particular characteristics and their potential to support knowledge integration between the business and IT. We examine the research question: how can LCDPs support the integration of specialized business and IT knowledge during innovative application development? Using the knowledge-based view as a conceptual grounding, we conduct an exploratory study of selected LCDPs. We find that LCDPs can support business and IT units to integrate rather than transfer their specialized knowledge. We show how one particular digital technology – LCDPs – can play an operant role in innovation and help bridge the business-IT gap

Innovating with employees: an exploratory study of idea development on low-code development platforms

In their struggle to deliver new products and enhance internal processes, organisations cannot ignore the innovative potential of employees. A central promise behind low-code development platforms (LCDPs) is the ability for organisations to efficiently involve employees in innovation initiation and have them develop ideas for innovative software applications themselves. In light of the growing need for digital innovation, we undertake an exploratory study of idea development on LCDPs. Guided by an idea management lens, we highlight similarities and differences in stakeholders, roles and process phases between idea development on LCDPs and idea management programs. We find that LCDPs empower employees to navigate the initiation of innovation with more flexibility and autonomy. Organisations in turn benefit from having employees drive idea development on LCDPs if they have adopted adequate LCDP support factors. Overall, our findings suggest that LCDPs constitute a promising avenue to initiate digital innovation with employees across an organisation

The economics of the state of the Baltic Sea : pre-study assessing the feasibility of a cost-benefit analysis of protecting the Baltic Sea ecosystem

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