Showing papers by "Maria Bengtsson published in 2002"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss and analyse how distances are bridged in technology development projects, focusing on the relationship between implicit and explicit knowledge and different distances inherent in the development effort.
Abstract: Technology development is often a boundary-spanning activity where insights and discoveries from different organizations or organizational units are merged into new products or new technical solutions. In some cases, projects of this kind are organized within large multinational firms. In other cases, technology development projects are organized within networks through co-operation between independent companies possessing unique resources that can be utilized as parts of the project. In this paper, we discuss and analyse how distances are bridged in technology development projects. We focus on: (1) the relationship between implicit and explicit knowledge; and (2) different distances inherent in the development effort. Two different bridging processes are proposed as means to overcome distances: a separating-integrating process; and a linking-formalizing process. It is argued that a development project typically runs through either one of these two processes. Le developpement de la technologie est souvent...
32 citations
01 Jan 2002
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that different constructions of time can be described using four dimensions (rate, duration, synchronization, and sequence), and that the construction of time, as far as the four dimensions are concerned, is of importance for the organizing and coordination of activities.
Abstract: The paper starts with a discussion on time, and on how different time reckoning systems have been introduced and used to coordinate activities. The discussion leads to the conclusion that time has become institutionalized and conceived of as a taken-for-granted commodity. At the same time, however, time is socially constructed. We argue that different constructions of time can be escribed using four dimensions (rate, duration, synchronization, and sequence), and that that the construction of time, as far as the four dimensions are concerned, is of importance for the organizing and coordination of activities. Four different coordinating principles (time schedules, levelers, checkpoints, and brackets) are derived from a discussion on the four dimensions. Thereafter five empirical examples on coordination of time are presented. The empirical examples are used to further analyze the coordinating principles and suggest a comprehensive understanding of the when-question.
1 citations