Showing papers in "IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management in 2008"
TL;DR: This analysis is the first large-scale study that describes the current state of open innovation in practice and identifies strategic approaches of firms to technology transactions along the innovation process.
Abstract: In addition to acquiring external technology, firms have started to actively commercialize technological knowledge, which represents the opposite type of technology transactions. The strong interactions with a firm's environment contrast the traditional closed approaches to innovation. Therefore, this new paradigm has been termed open innovation. Prior research into this field has mostly been limited to theoretical considerations and case studies. More general work has usually focused either on external technology acquisition or on external technology exploitation. Accordingly, I take an integrated perspective and regard the two types of technology transactions as the main dimensions of a firm's strategic approach to open innovation. Drawing on these dimensions, I use data from a questionnaire-based study of 154 middle and large companies to identify groups of firms that pursue homogeneous strategies regarding open innovation. Accordingly, this analysis is the first large-scale study that describes the current state of open innovation in practice. Moreover, it is the first work that identifies strategic approaches of firms to technology transactions along the innovation process.
622 citations
TL;DR: A combination of analytic hierarchy process and goal programming as a decision tool for supplier selection in the presence of risk measures and product life cycle considerations is proposed.
Abstract: Risk management in supply chains is receiving increasing attention in both academia and industry. Firms are recognizing the importance of considering supply risk in evaluating and selecting suppliers for strategic partnerships. One of the critical issues faced by purchasing managers is in effectively defining, operationalizing, and incorporating supply risk measures in the supplier evaluation process. Due to the multidimensional nature of supply risk, analytical tools that can effectively integrate various risk measures into the decision process can prove useful for managers. To this end, the contribution of this paper is twofold. First, we consider extant research in supply risk in developing a framework for risk assessment based on various categories and types of risks. Second, we propose a combination of analytic hierarchy process and goal programming as a decision tool for supplier selection in the presence of risk measures and product life cycle considerations. The efficacy of the model is tested at a mid-sized automotive supplier and managerial implications are discussed.
237 citations
TL;DR: This study is the first in the RFID literature to use the TAM for explaining consumer acceptance of RFID technology, and the results show that convenience, culture, and security are significant predictors.
Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used in numerous applications and offers a plethora of interesting potential new applications. However, this potential raises issues that require addressing to achieve its widespread acceptance by consumers. This paper investigates the factors that affect consumer acceptance of RFID technology. The purpose of this effort is to develop and test a theoretical model that contextualizes the technology acceptance model (TAM) within the context of RFID technology. The research model proposes that convenience, culture, privacy, regulation, and security are the principal factors influencing the consumerspsila acceptance of RFID. However, the results show that convenience, culture, and security are significant predictors. This study is the first in the RFID literature to use the TAM for explaining consumer acceptance of RFID technology. The findings suggest that: (1) higher perceived convenience of RFID technology leads to greater acceptance of this technology; (2) societal beliefs, value systems, norms, and/or behaviors influence the extent of consumer acceptance of RFID technology; and (3) higher perceived importance of and less willingness to sacrifice personal information security lead to lower intention to use RFID technology. Contextualization of TAM to RFID technology makes this study relevant to practitioners because the results can provide insight to organizations using or exploring the use of RFID technology.
225 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors survey the literature that can help explain these factors and help projects to learn, and describe a large survey of project managers to look at what actual practice is and how successful it is perceived, as well as some empirical work.
Abstract: The need to learn from one project to the next is clearly of vital importance, but is often neglected. Furthermore, there are fundamental issues within projects that inhibit such learning, such as the temporary nature of project organizations and the fundamental complexity of projects. This paper surveys the diverse literature that can help explain these factors and help projects to learn, and describes a large survey of project managers to look at what actual practice is and how successful it is perceived, as well as some empirical work. From this, a number of general conclusions are drawn as to how to create project organizations that are learning organizations.
207 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is found that firms whose main activity is commerce are more likely to adopt EPS than are firms operating on manufacturing or services industries and that technology competence, firm size, extent of adoption among competitors, and trading partner readiness provide a reasonable estimate for each firm's likelihood of adopting EPS.
Abstract: Once the factors that foster the adoption of electronic-procurement systems (EPSs) are identified, economic agents may act accordingly and develop better programs in order to achieve their objectives. Toward the identification of such factors, a model that explains the adoption of EPS is developed, considering the technology-organization-environment framework as well as the institutional theory. This model was tested with data collected from the 2500 largest companies operating in Portugal. On the grounds of the f-test for equality of means, we found evidence that EPS adoption is positively and significantly associated to: 1) firm size; 2) technology competence; 3) the perception companies have about the EPS success of their competitors; 4) the extent of adoption among competitors; and 5) the readiness of the trading partners to perform electronic transactions. The logistic regression supplied further evidence that technology competence, firm size, extent of adoption among competitors, and trading partner readiness provide a reasonable estimate for each firm's likelihood to adopt EPS. We also found evidence that firms whose main activity is commerce are more likely to adopt EPS than are firms operating on manufacturing or services industries.
202 citations
TL;DR: Using findings from this case study along with knowledge from the literature, a systemic causal model for design-error-induced rework is developed and yields insights about architectural and engineering professionals' decision-making and work practices that can influence the occurrence of design errors.
Abstract: The determination as to why projects fail to meet planned schedule, cost, and quality parameters is a leitmotiv within the construction, engineering, and project management literature. Yet, the interrelatedness and behavior of key factors that influence these project performance indicators, particularly regarding design-error-induced rework, have received limited academic examination. Design-induced rework has been reported to contribute more than 70% of the total amount of rework experienced in construction and engineering projects. To address this situation, a forensic management approach to determining how and why rework occurred in a commercial construction project is undertaken. Using findings from this case study along with knowledge from the literature, a systemic causal model for design-error-induced rework is developed. Underlying behavioral dynamics that contributed to design errors (principally related to the management of the design documentation process) were modeled and simulated using system dynamics. The results of such an analysis yield insights about architectural and engineering professionalspsila decision-making and work practices that can influence the occurrence of design errors. The mitigation of design-induced errors would significantly reduce the amount of rework that architectural and engineering firms experience. This would bring with it greater profitability for such firms and improved project performance parameters (schedule, cost, and quality).
139 citations
TL;DR: Using a random sample of 54 U.S. universities and 23 394 faculty members, the study shows that bypassing activity is reduced when universities rely on autonomous technology licensing offices and when faculty departments receive greater shares of the royalties from the licensing of said discoveries.
Abstract: When agents originate and develop inventions, new discoveries, or scientific breakthroughs, do all residual cash flows go to principals - the risk bearers who own the infrastructures, systems, and the productive assets? This research addresses this question, focusing on university scientists who essentially bypass their institutions when they privately sell or license discoveries made at laboratories of said institutions directly to the market. Using a random sample of 54 U.S. universities and 23 394 faculty members, the study shows that bypassing activity is reduced when universities rely on autonomous technology licensing offices (TLOs) and when faculty departments receive greater shares of the royalties from the licensing of said discoveries. Conversely, bypassing activity is increased with more valuable discoveries and heightened entrepreneurial activities on university campuses.
121 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is found that, overall, technology and information technology capabilities are significantly and positively related to radical product innovation and some significant differences among the three country samples concerning drivers of radical innovation are found.
Abstract: This paper examines strategic capabilities as drivers of the development and launch of radical innovations. We construct a theoretical framework relating five strategic capabilities (marketing, market linking, technology, information technology, and management-related capabilities) to radical innovation. From this framework, we derive hypotheses concerning a division's propensity to engage in radical innovation. Using empirical data derived from a research study of 376 firms in the United States, Japan, and China, we apply analysis of variance and negative binomial distribution (NBD) regression techniques to test our hypotheses. We find evidence that, overall, technology and information technology capabilities are significantly and positively related to radical product innovation. We also find some significant differences among the three country samples concerning drivers of radical innovation. Marketing capability is more significantly and positively related to radical innovation in the United States than in Japan; and, in China, the only capability that is significantly and positively related to radical innovation is technology. All of the findings completely or partially support our research hypotheses. We conclude with a discussion of the managerial implications of our findings, and directions for future research.
107 citations
TL;DR: The analysis suggests that ASUs' major relative strengths reside in the lower initial funding gap and greater investments in technical activities, while NTBFs' major weakness consists of the lack of commercial knowledge.
Abstract: This paper aims to extend our understanding of the relative strengths and weaknesses of academic startups (ASUs) and other new technology-based firms (NTBFs). First, relying on insights from the resource- and competence-based theories of the firm and the literature on social networks and financial economics, we identify the factors that might differentiate ASUs and other NTBFs. Then, we combine the results of prior studies on NTBFs and the evidence from four theory-building case studies of Italian ASUs to formulate a series of empirically testable hypotheses that relate to the differences between ASUs and other NTBFs as to the extent and nature of the initial funding and knowledge gaps, and the strategies that firms adopt to close them. Our analysis suggests that ASUs' major relative strengths reside in the lower initial funding gap and greater investments in technical activities. Conversely, ASUs' major weakness consists of the lack of commercial knowledge: ASUs suffer from greater initial gaps in this field and encounter serious obstacles in implementing effective strategies to close them. The paper also offers original insights relating to the impact of the appropriability regime of technology on the financing and alliance strategies of ASUs as opposed to those of other NTBFs. More specifically, when the appropriability regime is weak, ASUs' choices as to the characteristics of external investors and alliance partners, and the organisation of the relations with them are influenced by the desire to mitigate appropriability hazards. Conversely, appropriability hazards have a smaller influence on the decisions of non-ASU NTBFs.
103 citations
TL;DR: It is found that individual lead users as surgeons launch entrepreneurial activities and bridge periods in which established medical equipment manufacturers would not risk investing in radical innovations.
Abstract: In this paper, we explore how lead users develop radical innovations outside of manufacturing firms. We analyze the transition from a very early stage of activities to the ultimate commercialization of these innovations. The focus in this context is on the initiatives undertaken by lead users in order to transform their radically new solutions into functional prototypes, and then, to convince established manufacturers of the technological and market potential of their innovations. Using a comparative case study design in the high-tech field of medical equipment technology, we find that individual lead users as surgeons launch entrepreneurial activities and bridge periods in which established medical equipment manufacturers would not risk investing in radical innovations. By doing so, lead users create the conditions usually provided in manufacturer-initiated lead user projects, including the supply of diversified knowledge, the development and coordination of a network for further development of the innovation, and initial tests of technical or market feasibility. Our findings have implications for manufacturing firms that wish to design radical innovation projects with (individual) lead users and for research on new forms of lead user cooperation and integration.
100 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a framework for R&D project ranking is presented that can help a firm improve its competitive advantage by integrating elements of previously published project ranking systems and was refined through practitioner evaluation and utilization.
Abstract: A framework for R&D project ranking that can help a firm improve its competitive advantage is presented. The framework integrates elements of previously published R&D project ranking systems and was refined through practitioner evaluation and utilization. Through use of the framework, an organization can increase the objectivity, accountability, and transparency of its strategic decision-making process. Real world tradeoffs are accounted for by evaluating projects in terms of the following perspectives: reasonableness, attractiveness, responsiveness, competitiveness, and innovativeness. Each perspective is represented by multiple criteria measured via descriptive values distributed over a standardized scale. The framework is operationalized by a toolset consisting of a project evaluation form, pairwise comparison matrices, a weighted scoring model, a scorecard, and radar diagrams. A firm customizes the framework by using pairwise comparison matrices to establish relative weights that reflect the firm's unique objectives and competitive environment. Reviewers score each project's criteria on evaluation forms. Weights and criteria scores are entered onto the scorecard through which the scoring model produces a rank-ordered project list. Radar diagrams display how well a firm's portfolio matches its R&D goals. These framework artifacts produce a decision reasoning audit trail that an organization can use to improve its ranking process.
TL;DR: Results of an empirical study, involving 993 Internet users, which compared various ways to present privacy policy information to online consumers suggest that users perceive typical, paragraph-form policies to be more secure than other forms of policy representation, yet user comprehension of such paragraph- form policies is poor as compared to other policy representations.
Abstract: The U.S. legislation at both the federal and state levels mandates certain organizations to inform customers about information uses and disclosures. Such disclosures are typically accomplished through privacy policies, both online and offline. Unfortunately, the policies are not easy to comprehend, and, as a result, online consumers frequently do not read the policies provided at healthcare Web sites. Because these policies are often required by law, they should be clear so that consumers are likely to read them and to ensure that consumers can comprehend these policies. This, in turn, may increase consumer trust and encourage consumers to feel more comfortable when interacting with online organizations. In this paper, we present results of an empirical study, involving 993 Internet users, which compared various ways to present privacy policy information to online consumers. Our findings suggest that users perceive typical, paragraph-form policies to be more secure than other forms of policy representation, yet user comprehension of such paragraph-form policies is poor as compared to other policy representations. The results of this study can help managers create more trustworthy policies, aid compliance officers in detecting deceptive organizations, and serve legislative bodies by providing tangible evidence as to the ineffectiveness of current privacy policies.
TL;DR: A group decision support approach to evaluate experts for R&D project selection is presented and a formal procedure that integrates both objective and subjective information on experts is presented.
Abstract: In R&D project selection, experts (or external reviewers) always play a very important role because their opinions will have great influence on the outcome of the project selection. It is also undoubted that experts with high-expertise level will make useful and professional judgments on the projects to be selected. So, how to measure the expertise level of experts and select the most appropriate experts for project selection is a very significant issue. This paper presents a group decision support approach to evaluate experts for R&D project selection. Where the criteria and their attributes for evaluating experts are summarized mainly based on the experience with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). A formal procedure that integrates both objective and subjective information on experts is also presented. It is mainly based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP), scoring method, and fuzzy linguistic processing. A group decision support system is designed and implemented for illustration of the proposed method.
TL;DR: This paper proposes that CSE has two dimensions-internal and external, and examines each dimension's relationship to computer anxiety and perceived ease-of-use of information technology.
Abstract: Researchers have found computer self-efficacy (CSE) to be important to technology adoption. Past research has treated CSE as a unitary concept. This paper proposes that CSE has two dimensions-internal and external. The idea that CSE has internal and external dimensions is based on attribution theory, which identifies the human tendency to attribute events to causes that are either internal or external to the self. The internal CSE dimension focuses on how individuals perceive their capacity to use computers independently (i.e., without help). The external CSE dimension focuses on how individuals perceive their ability to use computers with human assistance and other forms of external support. Using items drawn from the Compeau and Higginspsila CSE instrument, this paper examines each dimension's relationship to computer anxiety and perceived ease-of-use of information technology. The paper also reports on six studies that examine this proposal, and contributes to the literature by identifying two distinct CSE dimensions, developing theory-driven explanations for their relationships to constructs within the CSE's nomological network, and empirically establishing that they have distinct effects. Implications for research and practice are presented.
TL;DR: A four-pronged approach toward enhancing knowledge contribution and reuse in organizations is suggested: 1) developing organizational trust; 2) facilitating intrinsic rewards for knowledge contribution, partly through organizational Trust; 3) the exercise of caution in the use of extrinsic rewards; and 4) the design of a KRS with a high level of searchability.
Abstract: Knowledge repository systems (KRSs) have gained popularity for enabling knowledge codification and reuse. This paper develops and tests a model of KRS success, including perceived KRS searchability, perceived KRS output quality, perceived usefulness, and user satisfaction, and examines how three aspects of social context (extrinsic rewards, intrinsic rewards, and organizational trust) affect these dimensions of KRS success. Empirical results from a survey of 141 KRS users in China and Singapore indicate that perceived KRS output quality depends on KRS searchability and the social context, perceived usefulness depends on perceived KRS output quality, and user satisfaction depends on perceived KRS output quality and perceived KRS searchability. However, the study provides some surprises: perceived KRS searchability only indirectly (through perceived KRS output quality) affects perceived usefulness, and the social context directly affects only perceived KRS output quality and not perceived usefulness. Our results suggest a four-pronged approach toward enhancing knowledge contribution and reuse in organizations: 1) developing organizational trust; 2) facilitating intrinsic rewards for knowledge contribution, partly through organizational trust; 3) the exercise of caution in the use of extrinsic rewards; and 4) the design of a KRS with a high level of searchability.
TL;DR: The research reported in this paper provides a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model for the acceleration of projects, employing the simultaneous crashing, overlapping, and substitution of project activities, which is transformed exactly into a Mixed-integer linear programming model.
Abstract: It is an established fact that projects are almost always behind schedule. Consequently, there is a great need for the allocation of additional resources with a view to accelerating projects, so as to ensure delivery on the planned date. These resources are obtained from project budget contingency, whose purpose is to foresee and budget for delays arising from disruptions, inaccurate activity time and cost estimates, and resource nonavailability when required for the execution of project activities. This type of problem arises both in the planning phase of a project, particularly in the context of bidding, as well as in ongoing projects, including new product development projects. The research reported in this paper provides a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model for the acceleration of projects, employing the simultaneous crashing, overlapping, and substitution of project activities. In order to ensure convergence, this model is transformed exactly into a mixed-integer linear programming model. The assumptions of the model are presented and discussed with engineering project management practice in mind. Application of the model to four examples of different sizes and nature, three of which are practical cases, demonstrates the efficiency of the model, implemented in commercial optimization software, in solving practical project acceleration problems.
TL;DR: Evidence suggests that American automaker practices have not evolved to support the great responsibility being outsourced to suppliers, and there are still barriers that create adversarial relationships when a partnership model is required for true integration of design efforts.
Abstract: The U.S. auto industry in the 1990s was in a state of transition, driven by a rapidly changing environment and attempts to adopt best practices from other automakers. The Japanese supplier management system is regarded as extremely effective in delivering high-quality component systems integrated into the vehicle with short design lead times. American automakers dedicated themselves to reengineering their product development systems, benchmarking the Japanese model, and outsourcing increasing levels of vehicle content and design responsibility. This paper analyzes how these attempts at institutional imitation evolved new approaches to supplier involvement in design in the U.S. auto industry based on interviews conducted during 1998-2001. Although once copying the Japanese model, the United States has chosen a modified approach and developed models distinctively different from the original. The authors identify two dominant supplier management models emerging during this time and a newly emerging hybrid original equipment manufacturer/supplier relationship style. Concepts from organizational design and behavioral economic theories are used to explain observations across industries overtime. Evidence suggests that American automaker practices have not evolved to support the great responsibility being outsourced to suppliers. There are still barriers that create adversarial relationships when a partnership model is required for true integration of design efforts.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors combine real options and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) into a common decision analysis framework, providing an integrated multiobjective, multicriteria model called ROAHP for prioritizing a portfolio of interdependent ICT investments.
Abstract: The inadequacy of traditional quantitative cost-benefit analysis for evaluating information and communications technologies (ICT) infrastructure investments have led researchers to suggest real options (ROs) analysis for valuating ICT projects. However, ROs models are strictly quantitative and often, ICT investments may contain qualitative factors that cannot be quantified in monetary terms. In addition, ROs analysis results in some factors that can be treated more efficiently when taken qualitatively. This paper combines ROs and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) into a common decision analysis framework, providing an integrated multiobjective, multicriteria model called ROAHP for prioritizing a portfolio of interdependent ICT investments. The proposed model is applied to an ICT case study showing how it can be formulated and solved.
TL;DR: The empirical results suggest that U.S. firms locating on university research parks are more research active and more diversified than the typical public firm reporting R&D activity.
Abstract: University research parks constitute a potentially important mechanism for university technology transfer and regional economic development. Unfortunately, there is little theoretical or empirical evidence on the firm-level choice decision to locate on such a facility. We fill this gap by outlining and testing a theoretical model of this selection process. Our empirical results suggest that U.S. firms locating on university research parks are more research active and more diversified than the typical public firm reporting R&D activity. We discuss the managerial implications of these findings.
TL;DR: The results showed that it is the tacit resources within an EMS, in the form of top management team's strategic perception, cross-functional cooperation, and environmentally responsible suppliers, which help explain firmspsila operational performance.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first objective is to examine the core resources that make environmental management system (EMS) a potential basis of sustainable competitive advantage from the resource-based view of the firm. The second objective is to investigate the set of core resources from the contingency perspective. Particularly, experience in implementing other manufacturing systems and the stage of EMS implementation were tested as the contingency factors. The proposed model and its related hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling on a large-scale database consisting of 1453 respondents. The results showed that it is the tacit resources within an EMS, in the form of top management team's strategic perception, cross-functional cooperation, and environmentally responsible suppliers, which help explain firmspsila operational performance. The findings provided the general principles in investment decisions of EMS. However, the results also demonstrated that the pattern of the core resources varies across firms with different experience in other manufacturing systems and at different stages of EMS implementation. As a result, there is no standard bundle of critical resources for each firm. Rather, firms need to tailor their resource investment decisions in light of these factors beyond the general principles.
TL;DR: It is found that information sharing capabilities are intermediate and transferable forces that help translating IT-related organizational resources into the collaborative process capabilities, creating distinctive e-business capabilities.
Abstract: E-business successes in traditional organizations have prompted much interest among researchers in many disciplines such as strategic management, information systems, and economics. However, the complexity of e-business implementation process has been overlooked, and it remains unclear. This paper investigates causal relationships among strategic initiative, information technology (IT)-related resources, and e-business capabilities; and their roles in the implementation process. From the resource-based view (RBV) of a firm and e-business strategic standpoint, we propose a model of e-business implementation process. We divide the process into four stages, and 11 hypotheses are developed in seeking relationships among six proposed constructs. Drawing from a sample of 56 enterprises within Hubei Province in China, we provide theoretical support for a critical causal link from e-business strategic initiatives to utilization of IT-related resources, and consequently, creating distinctive e-business capabilities. We find that information sharing capabilities are intermediate and transferable forces that help translating IT-related organizational resources into the collaborative process capabilities. The causal relationships expand our understanding of the dynamics of organizational transformation enabled by the Internet. The practical implications offer managers guidelines to the roles played by strategy, resource, and capabilities for e-business success. It helps in recognizing the value of their potential contributions to the organization as a whole.
TL;DR: Leveraging fine-grained, longitudinal panel data tracking the population of medical device clusters in the USA over a 12-year time period (1990-2001), strong support is demonstrated for the notion of spatial heterogeneity in cluster innovative performance.
Abstract: We explore the role of research universities in explaining intercluster innovation differentials. Drawing on the knowledge production function, our baseline hypothesis is that cluster innovative performance is determined by the cluster's endowment with financial, intellectual, and human capital. Leveraging fine-grained, longitudinal panel data tracking the population of medical device clusters in the USA over a 12-year time period (1990-2001), we demonstrate strong support for the notion of spatial heterogeneity in cluster innovative performance. In particular, research universities, which play a critical role by serving as a source of knowledge spillovers and producing graduates who disseminate tacit knowledge within a cluster, are a critical ingredient for innovative performance in a regional technology cluster.
TL;DR: A model that considers team task skills as a moderator to the more specific application domain and development methods skills is developed indicating that basic skills in completing team tasks facilitate other skills in achieving improved project performance.
Abstract: Software development requires the application of diverse skills from various sources. Often these are considered to be skills in development methodologies, application domains, and accomplishing general team tasks. Previous research, however, fails to establish a direct link between skills present in the development team and successful performance of the software development project. In an attempt to determine a more accurate representation of the importance of skills in the project, we develop a model that considers team task skills as a moderator to the more specific application domain and development methods skills. A survey of software development professionals validates the model indicating that basic skills in completing team tasks facilitate other skills in achieving improved project performance. In the short term, project teams must be formed to include a higher level of team task skills. An organization should also consider team task skills to be primary in hiring and training policies to improve software project performance.
TL;DR: An industrial case in which the senior management attempted to deal with a troubled ERP implementation (SAP R/3) in an international fast moving consumer goods company during 2001 and 2002 is reported, and three actions for rescuing troubled projects are suggested.
Abstract: Many software projects fail, whether failure is measured in terms of budget, schedule, or some other requirement. The causes of such failures are many, but are not always easily recognized. This is not the least due to the human dimension of corporate activities, as spurious or misdiagnosed issues in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) projects can take on a life of their own and become a magnet for company politics. This paper reports an industrial case in which the senior management attempted to deal with a troubled ERP implementation (SAP R/3) in an international fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company during 2001 and 2002. This paper reflects this dimension as it uses original emails and PowerPoint slides to recount a number of representative episodes in a troubled but ultimately successful project. At the heart of this success is the realization that whereas it can be difficult and time-consuming to do root-cause analyses, it is relatively simple to identify problem owners. In this case, the senior management without IT backgrounds turned around a failing project by reorganizing the team structure according to process areas so that issues in each process area had one problem owner. We summarize the management's actions into a troubleshooting framework, and in addition, suggest three actions for rescuing troubled projects: keep the project manager but narrow down the manager's scope of responsibility to one or two process areas; assign the right people to be responsible for other process areas; and have the General Manager chair the ERP meetings.
TL;DR: The proposed modeling framework will provide engineers and managers with a basis for planning, organizing, analyzing, and monitoring complex PD processes effectively.
Abstract: Product development (PD) processes are complex and unstructured compared to business or manufacturing processes, as they have iterative, evolutionary, uncertain, and cooperative features. In order to effectively manage and control a complex PD process, appropriate and logical descriptions are needed. This requires a modeling framework that can capture its characteristics. However, previous modeling methodologies are limited in terms of representing the characteristics. To cope with this limitation, we propose a modeling framework that can address the typical features of the PD process. To this end, we classify PD characteristics systematically and define modeling constructs for the PD process with modeling patterns and parameters. The proposed modeling framework will provide engineers and managers with a basis for planning, organizing, analyzing, and monitoring complex PD processes effectively.
TL;DR: Results show that organizational socialization tactics strongly influence newcomer role clarity, workgroup integration, and task mastery and gender-specific differences are found with regard to the impact of tactics on outcomes.
Abstract: Newly recruited engineers entering organizations often experience anxiety and uncertainty with regard to their roles, tasks, and career prospects in the organization. Successful adjustment of these newcomers to the role and organization has implications for performance, retention, and turnover of valuable knowledge workers. Organizations use several tactics to facilitate the new engineer's adjustment to the role and organization. This study investigated the socialization of 135 new engineers using the theoretical framework of organizational socialization tactics. The moderating effects of gender on new engineer adjustment are also examined since engineering is often described as a male-dominated profession. Results show that organizational socialization tactics strongly influence newcomer role clarity, workgroup integration, and task mastery. These proximal outcomes, in turn, lead to increased satisfaction and organizational commitment. Gender-specific differences are also found with regard to the impact of tactics on outcomes. Gender-moderated the effects of investiture, serial, and fixed tactics on role clarity and work group integration. Implications of the results for practice and theory are discussed.
TL;DR: In recent decades, there has been a substantial increase in university patenting, licensing, and research joint ventures with private companies as mentioned in this paper, which has also become ubiquitous at research universities.
Abstract: In recent decades, there has been a substantial increase in university patenting, licensing, and research joint ventures with private companies. Technology incubators, science parks, and NSF-sponsored engineering research centers and industry–university cooperative research centers have also become ubiquitous at research universities. This special issue addresses the managerial and policy implications of these trends.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors build theory on design under uncertainty and ambiguity from case study research, drawing on theory of preliminary information exchange in concurrent development, and find that the base-building subsystem shows low sensitivity to incremental changes in fit-out.
Abstract: Environmental changes are common during development of large engineering (infrastructure) projects. To accommodate them when they occur, developers design and physically execute the upstream base building with preliminary information about the downstream business-critical fit-out. Base-building subsystems provide service space for occupancy, whereas fit-out subsystems make the space functional. We build theory on design under uncertainty and ambiguity from case study research, drawing on theory of preliminary information exchange in concurrent development. We find that the base-building subsystem shows low sensitivity to incremental changes in fit-out. However, it shows high sensitivity to radical changes, unless the two subsystems interact in a modular fashion. In the face of slow resolution of downstream uncertainty and difficulties in decoupling the physical interfaces (as is the case in modular design for example), upstream developers avoid starvation by making working assumptions at risk and exploring the space of possible design solutions through an early ldquooptioneeringrdquo stage. Two patterns for problem-solving upstream stand out: 1) iterate design when preliminary information is either ambiguous or precise, but unstable and 2) build buffers in the design definition to absorb foreseeable changes when the preliminary information lacks precision but is not ambiguous. Buffers can be designed out if downstream uncertainties resolve favorably before the buffers are physically executed.
TL;DR: The analysis of data collected from 196 JVs shows that the relative effectiveness of different conflict management strategies varies depending on whether they are applied to R&D or marketing task conflict, and demonstrates the importance of aligning conflict management Strategies with the integrative potential of R&d and marketing tasks.
Abstract: Existing studies of conflict management in joint ventures (JVs) assume that the characteristics of the tasks that generate conflict have no impact on either the conflict-performance relationship or on the effectiveness of conflict management techniques. In this paper, we challenge this assumption by examining JV conflict over R&D and marketing tasks. Because JVs decisions are made by two or more partners, often with very different goals and agendas, the potential for conflict is high. In some cases, this conflict can have a positive impact on performance. We hypothesize that this possibility is more likely in the context of R&D task conflict, because: 1) marketing task conflict is relatively more likely to involve distributive (win-lose) issues and 2) when win-win (integrative) potential exists, disputants are relatively less likely to perceive this potential in marketing task conflicts (i.e., the disputants in a marketing task conflict are more likely to approach their conflict from a fixed-pie perspective). Our analysis of data collected from 196 JVs clearly supports this hypothesis. We also find that the relative effectiveness of different conflict management strategies varies depending on whether they are applied to R&D or marketing task conflict. Our results demonstrate the importance of aligning conflict management strategies with the integrative potential of R&D and marketing tasks.
TL;DR: The results obtained from 92 individuals in various nonwork-related VCs showed the significant influence of the leader's consideration and initiating structure on the members' motivation and organizational commitment was greater than that of consideration.
Abstract: In the plethora of virtual communities (VCs), the importance of nonwork-related VCs is increasing because organizations want to utilize these VCs to improve their performance by means of the social interaction among the members of the nonwork-related VCs. Despite the growing importance of nonwork-related VCs, only limited research has been conducted to examine the factors affecting their members' motivation and organizational commitment. This study investigated the critical role of leaders in motivating the members of nonwork-related VCs. The influence of the members' perceptions of two leadership styles-consideration (relationship-oriented leadership) and initiating structure (task-oriented leadership)-on the members' motivation was examined. We also tested the moderating effects of the members' perceptions of three sources of power to determine how these sources could increase the leader's influence on the members. The results obtained from 92 individuals in various nonwork-related VCs showed the significant influence of the leader's consideration and initiating structure, as perceived by the members, on the members' motivation and organizational commitment. An additional finding indicated that the influence of the leader's initiating structure on the members' motivation and organizational commitment was greater than that of consideration. Furthermore, expert power had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between the leader's consideration and the members' motivation while reward power and legitimate power had negative moderating effects. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.