Scale-free Networks in the Presence of Constraints: An Empirical Investigation of the Airline Route Network

Classifying the types of networks has been a focus of analysis in the recent, small-world research. A unifying theory has been introduced to provide an integrative perspective on the statistical properties of a variety of real-world networks. This theory postulates that the existence of constraints deters the emergence of a scale-free network. For example, the theory argues that the constraints of airport capacity limit the growth of air traffic, blocking the emergence of a scale-free network. We challenge this argument by reexamining the context of the airline industry. We empirically show that the U. S. airline route network is a scale-free network despite the presence of capacity constraints. We propose a new avenue for future research

The Hierarchy Myopia of Organizational Learning

Previous studies have been interested in how to maximize both the efficiency and the effectiveness of organizational learning. On the flipside, some studies have investigated the critical barriers to learning. We suggest organizational hierarchy as another cause and theoretically explore how it can deter learning performance. Specifically, we argue that the configuration of structure determines a prevalent form of learning method in an organization to consequently affect its learning performance. Using simulation modeling, we show that non-hierarchical organizations may be a better learning environment than hierarchical organizations. We also show that the contextual factors, such as problem complexity and member regrouping, may affect the base-line result. This study subsequently calls for further attention be paid to the key issues concerning the hierarchy and organization learning performance

The impact of international alliances on rival firm value: a study of the British Airways/USAir Alliance

International alliances Rival firms' value Degree of rivalry

Reverse knowledge diffusion: Competitive dynamics and the knowledge seeking behavior of Korean high-tech firms

This paper endeavors to enrich the existing knowledge acquisition literatures by specifically highlighting downsides of external ties of individuals. We introduce the concept of reverse knowledge diffusion (RKD) through external ties of individuals, and develop theoretical propositions to explain how the risks of RKD vary based on competitive dynamics and status of firms as innovation market leaders or market followers. We develop the construct of RKD to help explain why rivals may pursue contrasting knowledge seeking strategies with regards to leverage external ties of individuals, the timing of establishing these ties, and ex ante control mechanisms designed to regulate these relationships. We also discuss how our propositions advance the theory of knowledge seeking behaviors and generate future research opportunities

How Do Mobility Direction and Human Assets of Mobile Engineers Affect Joint Knowledge Creation after M&As?

We focused on mobile engineers, a distinctive employee group that may have unique reactions to mergers and acquisitions (M&As). Mobile engineers, employees that move from one firm to another, were previously recognized as an undesirable loss by most knowledge-intensive organizations. However, in this study, we show that they may return to their former organizations as effective knowledge creators when their previous and new organizations unite through M&As. We specifically investigated how their mobility direction, relational assets, and intellectual assets affect the amount of knowledge that is jointly created through inter-personal collaborations following the M&A. Using the data of 410 mobile engineers in high-technology M&As during 2000–2004 in the United States, we found that the mobility direction from acquiring firms to targets prior to M&A has a positive impact on joint knowledge creation. We also found that such mobility direction positively moderates the relationship between human assets of mobile engineers and their joint knowledge creation