Dynamics of knowledge-intensive production: An agency-structure framework
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors introduce a framework to study the conditions under which this balance can be attained based on a real-life application, in particular, that, while a direct realization of the condition is unlikely in practice, nevertheless, it is possible to establish indirectly the condition throu
Abstract: In the vast majority of modern technological and knowledge-intensive production systems, human agency and the structure of social interactions among the human individuals are implicated in each other While the force of agency drives an individual’s urge to introduce innovation and novelty into production, the force of the structuring interactions demands shared expectations and mutual adaptation for co-creation In an organizational context, when the objective is to manage production work that is governed by the concurrent interplay of both these forces, one might ask whether the cumulative output of each could be reconciled through the emergence of a stable balance between them over time In this article, I introduce a framework to study the conditions under which this balance can be attained Based on a real-life application, I show, in particular, that, while a direct realization of the condition is unlikely in practice, it is possible, nevertheless, to establish indirectly the condition throu
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TL;DR: Simple models of networks that can be tuned through this middle ground: regular networks ‘rewired’ to introduce increasing amounts of disorder are explored, finding that these systems can be highly clustered, like regular lattices, yet have small characteristic path lengths, like random graphs.
Abstract: Networks of coupled dynamical systems have been used to model biological oscillators, Josephson junction arrays, excitable media, neural networks, spatial games, genetic control networks and many other self-organizing systems. Ordinarily, the connection topology is assumed to be either completely regular or completely random. But many biological, technological and social networks lie somewhere between these two extremes. Here we explore simple models of networks that can be tuned through this middle ground: regular networks 'rewired' to introduce increasing amounts of disorder. We find that these systems can be highly clustered, like regular lattices, yet have small characteristic path lengths, like random graphs. We call them 'small-world' networks, by analogy with the small-world phenomenon (popularly known as six degrees of separation. The neural network of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, the power grid of the western United States, and the collaboration graph of film actors are shown to be small-world networks. Models of dynamical systems with small-world coupling display enhanced signal-propagation speed, computational power, and synchronizability. In particular, infectious diseases spread more easily in small-world networks than in regular lattices.
39,297 citations
"Dynamics of knowledge-intensive pro..." refers background or methods in this paper
...The clustering coefficient (CC) of the network is computed using the Watts–Strogatz formula (Watts & Strogatz, 1998)....
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...This distance scales as ln nð Þ in a small-world network, but in a random network of n nodes and mean degree #, it scales as lr e ln nð Þln #ð Þ (Newman, 2003; Watts & Strogatz, 1998)....
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01 Jan 1993TL;DR: This article presents bootstrap methods for estimation, using simple arguments, with Minitab macros for implementing these methods, as well as some examples of how these methods could be used for estimation purposes.
Abstract: This article presents bootstrap methods for estimation, using simple arguments. Minitab macros for implementing these methods are given.
37,183 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the concept of social capital is introduced and illustrated, its forms are described, the social structural conditions under which it arises are examined, and it is used in an analys...
Abstract: In this paper, the concept of social capital is introduced and illustrated, its forms are described, the social structural conditions under which it arises are examined, and it is used in an analys...
31,693 citations
"Dynamics of knowledge-intensive pro..." refers background in this paper
...This system embodies their sense of idea sharing, transfer of technical skills, and mixing of culturebased work practices during ongoing work of production (Amrit & Van Hillegersberg, 2008; Coleman, 1988; Walker, Kogut, & Shan, 1997)....
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...Epistemological arguments suggest that this capital is embedded in the informal network of relationships among the engineers at work, which is grounded upon their mutual trust, shared mental models, as well as complementary technical and social skills (Coleman, 1988; Uzzi & Spiro, 2005)....
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TL;DR: Developments in this field are reviewed, including such concepts as the small-world effect, degree distributions, clustering, network correlations, random graph models, models of network growth and preferential attachment, and dynamical processes taking place on networks.
Abstract: Inspired by empirical studies of networked systems such as the Internet, social networks, and biological networks, researchers have in recent years developed a variety of techniques and models to help us understand or predict the behavior of these systems. Here we review developments in this field, including such concepts as the small-world effect, degree distributions, clustering, network correlations, random graph models, models of network growth and preferential attachment, and dynamical processes taking place on networks.
17,647 citations
"Dynamics of knowledge-intensive pro..." refers background or methods in this paper
...benchmark comparison, the CC of the corresponding random network, given by CCr 1⁄4 #n (Newman, 2003), is employed....
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...degree #, it scales as lr e ln n ð Þ ln # ð Þ (Newman, 2003; Watts & Strogatz, 1998)....
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TL;DR: Giddens as mentioned in this paper has been in the forefront of developments in social theory for the past decade and outlines the distinctive position he has evolved during that period and offers a full statement of a major new perspective in social thought, a synthesis and elaboration of ideas touched on in previous works but described here for the first time in an integrated and comprehensive form.
Abstract: Anthony Giddens has been in the forefront of developments in social theory for the past decade. In "The Constitution of Society" he outlines the distinctive position he has evolved during that period and offers a full statement of a major new perspective in social thought, a synthesis and elaboration of ideas touched on in previous works but described here for the first time in an integrated and comprehensive form. A particular feature is Giddens' concern to connect abstract problems of theory to an interpretation of the nature of empirical method in the social sciences. In presenting his own ideas, Giddens mounts a critical attack on some of the more orthodox sociological views. "The Constitution of Society" is an invaluable reference book for all those concerned with the basic issues in contemporary social theory.
16,208 citations