“No user is an island” Onlookers, affordances, and the impact of mobile devices on work practices

This paper addresses the question of how the use of mobile devices impacts work practices, based on an ethnographic study of the use of iPod Touch devices in operating rooms. Building on the concept of affordances in its recent conceptualization as “multifaceted relational structures”, we analyze the interplay between different affordances of iPods seen from the perspective of the user (who is interacting with the device), and from the perspective of the onlooker (who is interacting with the user, but not directly with the device itself). The analyses reveal that while the use of the device clearly had a function in supporting individual work practices, it negatively influenced the implicit coordination required for the interactive work practices. By including the onlookers’ perspective, we provide a more complete picture of how affordances are shaped and enacted within the social context of multiple relations and how this enactment further impacts work practices

The Other side of ‘us’: Alterity construction and identification work in the context of planned change

How do we use the Other to make sense of who we are? A common assumption is that people positively affirm social identities by excluding an inferior Other. This paper challenges that restricted notion by focusing on the variation and situational fluidity of alterity construction (othering) in identification work. Based on an ethnographic study of a change project in a public hospital, we examine how nurses, surgeons, medical secretaries, and external management consultants constructed Others/otherness. Depending on micro-situations, different actors reciprocally differentiated one another horizontally and/or vertically and some also appropriated otherness in certain situations by either crossing boundaries or by collapsing them. The paper contributes to theorizing on identification work and its consequences by offering a conceptualisation of the variety of othering in everyday interaction. It further highlights relational agency in the co-construction of social identities/alterities. Through reciprocal othering, ‘self’ and ‘other’ mutually construct one another in interaction, enabled and constrained by structural contexts while simultaneously taking part in constituting them. As such, othering plays a key role in organizing processes that involve encounters and negotiations between different work- and occupational groups

Conditions for knowledge sharing in competitive alliances

This paper examines the conditions for successful knowledge sharing and learning in inter-organisational alliances. In order to improve competitive advantage, organisations try to learn and develop knowledge in alliances. But how do they 'succeed' in these processes? We present several factors that are important for the 'successful' knowledge sharing and learning in alliances where competing organisations co-operate. Whereas much alliance literature seems to have a bias towards conditions at the inter-organisational level, we suggest that attention should be paid to inter-personal conditions as well. Our two case studies located in The Netherlands present some inter-personal conditions for 'successful' knowledge sharing and learning in alliances

Functions of ICT for supporting organisational learning

Information and communication technology (ICT) offers many opportunities for supporting knowledge management processes. It is, however, unclear what exactly these opportunities are and what functions of ICT are necessary to support knowledge management. We explore this issue by applying two complementary perspectives. First, we focus on a specific type of knowledge management process: learning processes, such as internal, feedback, external and creative learning. These are part of organisational learning. Taking their different characteristics as a starting point, each process puts different requirements on ICT support. Second, from the current types of ICT that we distinguished we reason what support ICT could offer for organisational learning. These two ways of describing ICT functions are then combined in a matrix. This combination provides important insights. For example, the broad category of groupware has the most potential for supporting organisational learning processes. Besides that, it appears hard to support creative learning with ICT; at least, this is not a particular strength of current ICT. Thus, this paper provides functions of ICT for supporting organisational learning. These can be useful for both the use and development of ICT for supporting these processes

Conditions for Knowledge Sharing in Competitive Alliances

This paper examines the conditions for successful knowledge sharing and learning in inter-organisational alliances. In order to improve competitive advantage, organisations try to learn and develop knowledge in alliances. But how do they 'succeed' in these processes? We present several factors that are important for the 'successful' knowledge sharing and learning in alliances where competing organisations co-operate. Whereas much alliance literature seems to have a bias towards conditions at the inter-organisational level, we suggest that attention should be paid to inter-personal conditions as well. Our two case studies located in The Netherlands present some inter-personal conditions for 'successful' knowledge sharing and learning in alliances.Knowledge sharing Learning Co-opetition Inter-organisational alliances

Knowledge Management in Practice: Pitfalls and Potentials for Development

Summary Knowledge management is increasingly recognized as a relevant management approach within the development sector. However, few academic studies have analyzed the conceptual foundations of knowledge management practices in a development-specific context. As a result, the political dimensions of knowledge management are often overlooked. Through a literature review, illustrated with reference to examples from practice, this paper identifies a difference between latent goals and active knowledge management practices, which can lead to counterproductive development outcomes. The paper identifies the pitfalls and potentials associated with knowledge management in a development context and presents a conceptual framework that recognizes and builds on political dimensions of knowledge as discussed in participation and post-developmentalist debates.knowledge management situated mutual learning post-rationalism participation post-developmentalism development organizations

A Knowledge Perspective on Quality in Complex Citizen Science

This article examines how project leaders in complex citizen science projects ensure the quality of project outcomes given the challenges of involving citizens, whose knowledge is diverse and unknown beforehand. To this aim, a qualitative multiple-case study was carried out to compare the practices of five collaborative online citizen science projects in the humanities in which citizens transcribe, translate, and annotate handwritten manuscripts from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The choices made to access knowledge, thus to recruit participants either through open or targeted calls, seem to be fundamental for the different configurations of knowledge management activities that project leaders apply to ensure quality outcomes. Other factors influencing these knowledge management configurations are citizens’ proximity, knowledge characteristics, technology affordances, and the extent to which project leaders are aware of citizens’ backgrounds and skills. This study adds to earlier frameworks proposed to advise the design and management of citizen science projects. By taking a knowledge perspective, this article provides practical directions for project leaders involved in citizen science and highlights the need to put time and effort in managing knowledge processes

A Knowledge Perspective on Quality in Complex Citizen Science

This article examines how project leaders in complex citizen science projects ensure the quality of project outcomes given the challenges of involving citizens, whose knowledge is diverse and unknown beforehand. To this aim, a qualitative multiple-case study was carried out to compare the practices of five collaborative online citizen science projects in the humanities in which citizens transcribe, translate, and annotate handwritten manuscripts from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The choices made to access knowledge, thus to recruit participants either through open or targeted calls, seem to be fundamental for the different configurations of knowledge management activities that project leaders apply to ensure quality outcomes. Other factors influencing these knowledge management configurations are citizens’ proximity, knowledge characteristics, technology affordances, and the extent to which project leaders are aware of citizens’ backgrounds and skills. This study adds to earlier frameworks proposed to advise the design and management of citizen science projects. By taking a knowledge perspective, this article provides practical directions for project leaders involved in citizen science and highlights the need to put time and effort in managing knowledge processes