A SOCIOTECHNICAL MODEL FOR UNDERSTANDING ORGANIZATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

Traditional technology transfer strategies tend to focus on physical organizational assets. However, these strategies tend to ignore essential social aspects of technology transfer which are key for organizations to harness the full benefits of these valuable yet usually underperforming partnerships. This paper will introduce a sociotechnical model for understanding technology transfer as an emergent result of key interactions between social and technical elements of both organizations involved. Applying a sociotechnical framework to technology transfer will allow for the application of sociotechnical concepts and tools with the potential of improving the learning quality of technology transfer efforts in which both parties will be able to learn from the other within a sociotechnical context. The paper will begin with a discussion of sociotechnical concepts within the context of knowledge and technology transfer. Recommendations for using the information in this paper to improve organizational technology transfer and absorption will be offered towards the end of the paper. This paper is mainly aimed at managers and knowledge management professionals although academics interested in technology and knowledge transfer within a sociotechnical context would also benefit from this paper

CLOSING THE LOOP: PRODUCT SUPPORT OPERATIONS WITHIN THE DEMING SYSTEMS MODEL

This paper introduces the concept of Product Support Operations (PSO) as an extension of traditional processes such as manufacturing and supply chains using the relational Deming Systems Model. The Deming Model will be expanded to include key system interactions occurring after the customer has purchased the product or service. This modified Deming Systems Model will be used to explain the concept of a Product Support Operations (PSO) function as a holistic means to improve customer service and product performance within the context of how the customer uses the product. This paper is aimed at professionals seeking to better understand internal organizational interactions in relation to customer needs and requirements. Academics interested in understanding design implications of a product support model may also find value with the material in this paper

AN APPLICATION OF THE TEAM PROCESS CAPABILITY MODEL TO TEAM RESILIENCE FACTORS

Team resilience has gained in importance as organizations increasingly operate in diverse and challenging environments. This paper will apply core concepts of team resilience to the team process capability model (presented at the 2018 International Joint Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Conference in Lisbon, Portugal) to provide an understanding of the factors influencing team resiliency. An overview of the team process capability model will be provided followed by an application of team resiliency concepts applicable to the team process capability model. This paper is aimed mainly towards managers seeking to better understand team resiliency however academics may find the framework proposed in this model useful in similar pursuits

A Theoretical Framework for a Dynamic Team Learning and Adaptation System

This paper will discuss a model for team learning and adaptation by applying sociotechnical and cognitive systems concepts to a model previously developed by [1] to facilitate double-loop learning in teams and organizations. Organizational knowledge assets will be explained relative to team learning followed by an explanation of the sociotechnical system that the model is based upon. An overview of the team cognitive systems model will be provided as a precursor to explaining the learning and adaptation system. The team learning and adaptation model combines sociotechnical and cognitive systems elements to provide a model explaining how team learning at the tactical level can be aligned with other organizational resources while aligning these efforts towards organizational strategy. The proposed model also provides a holistic means for implementing a problem-solving methodology within the sociotechnical and cognitive systems contexts. The aim of this paper is to aid practitioners seeking to improve how his or her team learns, collaborates, and innovates at all levels of the organization. The paper is geared mainly towards practitioners interested in improving his or her team's performance. Academics interested in team learning and knowledge sharing may also find the model of interest in academic pursuits related to team learning and adaptation. Practitioners can use this model to identify shortcomings in team learning and adaptation performance relative to specific work requirements. Academicians can use the model to explain sociotechnical and environmental interactions relative to how teams perform learning and adapting behaviors