Martin Davies

Bio: Martin Davies is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Project management & Critical management studies. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 314 citations.

Critical Management Studies

Abstract: Critical management studies (CMS) offers a range of alternatives to mainstream management theory with a view to radically transforming management practice. The common core is deep skepticism regarding the moral defensibility and the social and ecological sustainability of prevailing conceptions and forms of management and organization. CMS’s motivating concern is neither the personal failures of individual managers nor the poor management of specific firms, but the social injustice and environmental destructiveness of the broader social and economic systems that these managers and firms serve and reproduce. This paper reviews CMS’s progress, main themes, theoretical and epistemological premises, and main projects; we also identify some problems Tight_G_UN#_Master.indd 1 8/1/07 10:02:33 AM 2 • LeftRunningHead © 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC and make some proposals. Our aim is to provide an accessible overview of a growing movement in management studies.

Computer Science and Operations Research: New Developments in Their Interfaces

Abstract: Chapter headings and selected papers: Preface. Referees. Optimization Techniques. A principled approach to solving complex discrete optimization problems, B Macleod & R Moll. Boolean-combinatorial bounding of maximum 2-satisfiability, J-M Bourjolly et al. Linear Programming Interior Point Algorithms. Adapting the interior point method for the solution of linear programs on high performance computers, J Andersen et al. Networks. Alternate server disciplines for mobile-servers on a congested network, S K Park et al. Minimum graph vertex covering with the random neural network, E Gelenbe & F Batty. Computer Graphics in Operations Research. EDINET - A network editor for transshipment problems with facility location, W Ogryczak et al. Parallel Algorithms and Implementations. Computational experience with parallel algorithms for solving the quadratic assignment problem, P M Pardalos et al. On reporting the speedup of parallel algorithms: a survey of issues and experts, R S Barr & B L Hickman. Planning and Scheduling. Intelligent modelling, simulation and scheduling of discrete production processes, J Paredis & T van Rij. OOFP - object oriented flow planning, W Mergenthaler et al. Genetic Algorithms. Increased flexibility in genetic algorithms: the use of variable Boltzmann selective pressure to control propagation, M de la Maza & B Tidor. Heuristic Search Techniques. Heuristic solution procedures for the graph partitioning problem, E Rolland & H Pirkul. Data Retrieval. Enhancing data retrieval using artificially synthesized queries, B J Oommen & D T H Ng. Author Index. Subject Index.

A set of principles for conducting and evaluating interpretive field studies in information systems

Abstract: This article discusses the conduct and evaluatoin of interpretive research in information systems. While the conventions for evaluating information systems case studies conducted according to the natural science model of social science are now widely accepted, this is not the case for interpretive field studies. A set of principles for the conduct and evaluation of interpretive field research in information systems is proposed, along with their philosophical rationale. The usefulness of the principles is illustrated by evaluating three published interpretive field studies drawn from the IS research literature. The intention of the paper is to further reflect and debate on the important subject of grounding interpretive research methodology.

Qualitative Research and the Academy of Management Journal

Abstract: Editor's note: For this issue's \"From the Editors,\" I invited Robert Gephart of the University of Al-berta to reflect on his observations as a long-serving , award-winning reviewer of qualitative research for A!vII Over the past two and a half years, I have developed a tremendous respect for Bob's keen eye for evaluating qualitative research submissions , and great admiration for the painstaking advice he provides authors about how to improve their work. As a world-renowned qualitative author himself, Bob is in an excellent position to provide observations about how authors might increase the chances of having their qualitative research accepted for publication at AMI In a three-way electronic mail conversation about the challenges and opportunities of qualitative research , Bob, Tom Lee, and I all concluded that many authors with potentially very interesting data sets don't seem to know how to analyze them to their full potential. This is perhaps not surprising, gi ven the clear predominance of quantitative methods and statistics courses over qualitative ones, particularly in North America, as well as the inherently greater subjectivity involved in designing and analyzing qualitative research. As such, we encouraged Bob to provide a bit of a minitutorial-complete with reference citations and examples of high-quality papers that use particular qualitative approaches-in addition to his observations about qualitative research submitted to AMI The result is a longer-than-usual \"From the Edi-tors\" column. but one that we believe is well worth the extra reading time for anyone interested in producing , reviewing, or attempting to coax greater insights from qualitative research. We are fortunate to have someone with Bob's expertise share his observations, and we hope that his thoughts will prove useful to researchers for many years to come. Sara Rynes Incoming Editor I am thankful to Sara for inviting me to write this editorial column encouraging scholars to submit their qualitative research to the Academy of Man-I wish to thank Torn Lee and Sara Rynes for their helpful comments and encouragement in preparing this editorial. 454 agement Journal. Qualitative research is important to AMI Qualitative research is actively sought and supported by the Journal, its editors, and its editorial review board. Alv1Jhas published many qualitative papers. The coveted A/'v1jBest Article Award has been won by three qualitative papers-Gersick (1989), Isabella (1990), and Dutton and Duckerich (1991)-and by one paper that combined qualitative and quantitative methods: Sutton and Rafuclli, (1988). Despite these successes, most …

Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows, Part I: Route Construction and Local Search Algorithms

Abstract: This paper presents a survey of the research on the vehicle routing problem with time windows (VRPTW). The VRPTW can be described as the problem of designing least cost routes from one depot to a set of geographically scattered points. The routes must be designed in such a way that each point is visited only once by exactly one vehicle within a given time interval, all routes start and end at the depot, and the total demands of all points on one particular route must not exceed the capacity of the vehicle. Both traditional heuristic route construction methods and recent local search algorithms are examined. The basic features of each method are described, and experimental results for Solomon's benchmark test problems are presented and analyzed. Moreover, we discuss how heuristic methods should be evaluated and propose using the concept of Pareto optimality in the comparison of different heuristic approaches. The metaheuristic methods are described in the second part of this article.

7 Redesigning Work Design Theories: The Rise of Relational and Proactive Perspectives

Abstract: Many scholars assume that the fundamental questions about work design have been answered. However, a global shift from manufacturing economies to service and knowledge economies has dramatically altered the nature of work in organizations. To keep pace with these important and rapid changes, work design theory and research is undergoing a transformation. We trace the highlights of two emerging viewpoints on work design: relational perspectives and proactive perspectives. Relational perspectives focus on how jobs, roles, and tasks are more socially embedded than ever before, based on increases in interdependence and interactions with coworkers and service recipients. Proactive perspectives capture the growing importance of employees taking initiative to anticipate and create changes in how work is performed, based on increases in uncertainty and dynamism. Together, these two perspectives challenge the widely held belief that new developments in work design theory and research are no longer needed....

Communication richness in electronic mail: critical social theory and the contextuality of meaning

Abstract: Information Richness Theory (IRT) has enjoyed acceptance by information systems researchers throughout the last decade, but recent unfavorable empirical evidence has precipitated a shift away from it and a search for a new theory. Because of this shift, a new definition of communication richness is needed to succeed the IRT definition. Since its inception, IS research on communication richness has been limited to the perspective of positivism and, more recently, interpretivism. In this study, a new perspective to the study of communication richness in computer mediated communication, critical social theory (CST), is introduced. This paper outlines (1) a CST-based definition of communication richness and compares it with positivist and interpretivist definitions of communication richness and (2) a CST-based social action framework for empirical study of organizational communication in any media use situation. The CST definition and framework are used in an intensive investigation of an episode of the managerial use of electronic mail in a company to illustrate how research on communication richness can be conducted from the CST perspective. This illustration also points out the usefulness of the CST perspective in recognizing instances of communication richness in electronic mail communications that would escape detection in not just the IRT perspective in particular, but also positivist and interpretive perspectives in general. Finally, the paper concludes by outlining the potential for future IS research on organizational communication and information technology from the CST perspective. In addition to the specific contribution to the development of a new theory of communication richness in electronic media, this study also contributes an example of CST research on IS and extends the domain of the CST-IS research program.