A critical rationalist approach to organizational learning: testing the theories held by managers

The common wisdom is that Popper's critical rationalism, a method aimed at knowledge validation through falsification of theories, is inadequate for managers in organizations. This study falsifies this argument in three phases: first, it specifies the obstructers that prevent the method from being employed; second, the critical rationalist method is adapted for strategic management purposes; last, the method and the hypotheses are tested via action research. Conclusions are that once the obstructers are omitted the method is applicable and effective

Service Elements Valuation Using an Enterprise Architecture Language

This article defines a service as an architecture of processes, software and infrastructure elements for serving people. An architecture language therefore is a means to structure and analyze the values of service elements and the service as a whole. We provide a value-based perspective, which first includes a review of the concept of value in the context of service architectures for services. Here we conclude that multiple, even competing, values are at stake for different parts of a service. Second, the paper discusses a method for the valuation of a service using competing value constructs. We also demonstrate by a case how a formal architecture language can be used to calculate service values. Finally, the results are discussed and suggestions for further research are given

Operational knowledge management:identification of knowledge objects, operation methods, and goals and means for the support function

Though much has been written about knowledge management, this field has not been described extensively from an operational management perspective. Consequently, knowledge management seems difficult to implement at the operational levels of the organisations. To solve this problem, the abstract notion of knowledge is translated in operational knowledge objects. These objects are the input and output of two operation methods: (1) transformation or learning; and (2) knowledge logistics. The article describes several activities of these operation methods, and gives a classification of operational goals and means for the operations support function. The author concludes with mentioning challenges for the field of operational knowledge managemen

The applicability of a use value-based file retention method

The determination of the relative value of files is important for an organization while determining a retrieval service level for its files and a corresponding file retention policy. This paper discusses via a literature review methods for developing file retention policies based on the use values of files. On basis of these results we propose an enhanced version of one of them. In a case study, we demonstrate how one can develop a customized file retention policy by testing causal relations between file parameters and the use value of files. This case shows that, contrary to suggestions of previous research, the file type has no significant relation with the value of a file and thus should be excluded from a retention policy in this case. The case study also shows a strong relation between the position of a file user and the value of this file. Furthermore, we have improved the Information Value Questionnaire (IVQ) for subjective valuation of files. However, the resulting method needs software to be efficient in its application. Therefore, we developed a prototype for the automatic execution of a file retention policy. We conclude with a discussio

The Hegelian Inquiring System and Critical Triangulation Tools for the Internet Information Slave

This paper discusses informing, i.e. increasing people’s understanding of reality by providing representations of this reality. The Hegelian inquiry system is used to explain the nature of informing. Understanding the Hegelian inquiry system is essential for making informed decisions where the reality can be ambiguous and where sources of bias and manipulation have to be understood for increasing the level of free-informed choice. This inquiry system metaphorically identifies information masters and slaves, and we propose critical dialectic information triangulation (CDIT) tools for information slaves (i.e. non-experts) in dialect interactions with informative systems owned by supposed information masters. The paper concludes with suggestions for further research on informative triangulation tools for the internet and management information systems

Total data quality management: a study of bridging rigor and relevance

Ensuring data quality is of crucial importance to organizations. The Total Data Quality Management (TDQM) theory provides a methodology to ensure data quality. Although well researched, the TDQM methodology is not easy to apply. In the case of Honeywell Emmen, we found that the application of the methodology requires considerable contextual redesign, flexibility in use, and the provision of practical tools. We identified team composition, toolsets, development of obvious actions, the design of phases, steps, and actions, and sessions as vital elements of making an academically rooted methodology applicable. Such an applicable methodology, we name “well articulated”, because it incorporates the existing academic theory and it is made operational. This enables the methodology to be systematically beta tested and made useful for different organizational conditions