Organising the process of knowledge integration: The benefits of structural ambiguity

In this article we examine how loose coupling between units and people can benefit a firm's ability to combine and recombine knowledge-based resources continuously in a creative and flexible way. An in-depth study of Oticon A/S suggests that loose coupling can be deliberately brought into the design of the organisation by introducing a certain structural ambiguity into the configuration of role systems and authority relationships. In the first part of the paper, we show how loose coupling among units and people is a distinctive feature of the way Oticon organises its administrative activities. In the second, we explore the structural properties of a loosely coupled arrangement. We develop the concepts of multipolarity, fluidity and interconnectedness and we show how these properties conduce to an increase in the effectiveness, efficiency and flexibility of the processes of knowledge integration. Structural ambiguity is thus proposed as a viable design principle for organisations operating in hypercompetitive environment, where flexible knowledge integration represents a critical condition of survival

Corporate sustainability reporting index and baseline data for the cruise industry

Sustainability policies and corporate reports demonstrate the impacts cruise companies acknowledge as their responsibility, and the actions put in place to address them. This paper develops a corporate social responsibility index based on the Global Reporting Initiative, with industry specific additions including labor and human rights, health and safety, and environmental and economic aspects. Companies disclose more management than performance data, which is typical of early stages of development. Companies disclosing less information focus on soft indicators which are easy to mimic and demonstrate posturing. Items disclosed tend to be marginal to the core of the business, have a positive economic impact or pre-empt sector regulation. Reports echo the voice of the corporations and not the demands of stakeholders. Institutional isomorphism has not influenced a homogenization in reporting, with only the largest firms reporting at this stage

Redirecting research efforts on the diversification-performance linkage: The search for synergy

We review the literature on the diversification-performance (D-P) relationship to a) propose that the time is ripe for a renewed attack on understanding the relationship between diversification and firm performance, and b) outline a new approach to attacking the question. Our paper makes four main contributions. First, through a review of the literature we establish the inherent complexities in the D-P relationship and the methodological challenges confronted by the literature in reaching its current conclusion of a non-linear relationship between diversification and performance. Second, we argue that to better guide managers the literature needs to develop along a complementary path – whereas past research has often focused on answering the big question of does diversification affect firm performance, this second path would focus more on identifying the precise micro-mechanisms through which diversification adds or subtracts value. Third, we outline a new approach to the investigation of this topic, based on (a) identifying the precise underlying mechanisms through which diversification affects performance; (b) identifying performance outcomes that are “proximate” to the mechanism that the researcher is studying, and (c) identifying an appropriate research design that can enable a causal claim. Finally, we outline a set of directions for future research

A study of different supports for the catalytic reduction of nitrates from natural water with a continuous reactor

[EN] The aim of this work is to study the activity for the nitrate catalytic reduction in natural water, using a continuous stirred tank reactor, of Pd/Cu and Pd/Sn catalysts supported on different materials. The studied supports are: -Al2O3 (commercial), active carbon, graphite, hydrotalcite and alumina synthesized in our laboratory with a high surface area. The activity and selectivity of the catalysts supported on these materials have been compared. The best results have been obtained with the Pd/Sn catalysts supported on alumina. These results show thatthe surface area ofthe supportis notthe only important characteristic for an active catalyst in this reaction, but also its acid–base properties, electrical conductivity and interaction with the metallic active sites are very significant. The adequate combination of these characteristics is necessary to obtain an active catalyst. The influence of the Pd/Sn content on the activity of the alumina supported catalysts was studied, observing that the best activity was obtained when the Pd/Sn ratio was higher than 1. This result clearly indicates that it is necessary to have both Pd and Pd–Sn centers in order to obtain an active catalyst.The authors thank the Spanish Government(projects MAT2009-14528-C02-01 and CONSOLIDER INGENIO 2010) and the European Union (European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under Grant Agreement No. 226347 Project)for the financial support.Franch Martí, C.; Palomares Gimeno, AE.; Corma Canós, A. (2011). A study of different supports for the catalytic reduction of nitrates from natural water with a continuous reactor. Catalysis Today. 172(1):90-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2011.05.015S9094172

Generalized predictive modeling for facilitated transport membranes accounting for fixed and mobile carriers

The present work expands previous modeling knowledge on facilitated transport membranes for olefin/paraffin separation. A new robust and practical mathematical model for the description of light olefin flux in composite polymer/ionic liquid/Ag+ membranes is reported. The model takes into account three different transport mechanisms, i.e., solution-diffusion, fixed-site carrier and mobile carrier transport mechanisms. Fixed-site carrier contribution that appears thanks to the bounding of silver cations with the polymer chains is described through a “hopping parameter”. Furthermore, given that the addition of an ionic liquid to the membrane composition promotes carrier mobility, the inclusion of a dedicated expression is necessary for a realistic description of mobile-carrier transport phenomena. The contribution of each mechanism in weighted based on the membrane composition. In order to check the model suitability, simulated values have been matched to experimental data obtained by continuous flow propane/propylene permeation experiments through PVDF-HFP/BMImBF4/AgBF4 composite membranes, working with 50:50 gas mixtures at different temperature and pressure. The resultant model offers good predictions for olefin flux and provides a very useful tool for process optimization and scaling-up. To our knowledge, this is the first time that mobile and fixed site carrier mechanisms performance are simultaneously modeled considering the influence of temperature, pressure and carrier loading.Financial support from projects CTQ2015-66078-R and CTQ2016-75158-R (MINECO, Spain-FEDER 2014–2020) is gratefully acknowledged. Raúl Zarca also thanks the Universidad de Cantabria for a postgraduate fellowship

Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging genetic codes to achieve fit in hostile business environments

It is too easy to blame market turbulence or unexpected events for a company's poor performance. Yet this is frequently the response of managers to circumstances and activities beyond their immediate control. As a consequence, managers and owners often fail to develop strategies for coping with challenge or crisis the next time it occurs. The result is that many organizations are doomed to repeat the same or similar mistakes over and over again in a form of corporate déjà vu. To gain insights into how companies can better manage in hostile environments, we consider the solutions that have evolved in nature over billions of years. We trace nature's codes for adapting to hostile environments and explore the underlying characteristics of four genetic code types that can help business organizations to offset the negative implications of hostility through ensuring strategic fit. We link the four genetic codes most frequently found in nature with organizational capabilities. When correctly identified and leveraged, these capabilities can enable a company to focus attention and resource on how to manage successfully in hostile environment