Inter-project learning: processes and outcomes of knowledge codification in project-based firms

In this paper, we argue that the literature on knowledge codification has been overly concerned with the economic properties of its outcomes, neglecting the importance of its underlying learning processes. Following Zollo and Winter [Organisation Science, 2001, in press], the paper distinguishes three learning processes: experience accumulation, knowledge articulation and knowledge codification and suggests a framework to analyse the learning abilities of project-based firms. We propose that mechanisms for inter-project learning draw upon these learning processes and can be found at various levels of the project-based firm. Using empirical evidence from six case studies, we discern three empirical patterns, that we defined learning landscapes, of such mechanisms. Implications for the literature and practice of knowledge codification are discussed.     

Projects and firms as discordant complements: organisational learning in the Munich software ecology

In current theorising, projects and firms are understood as “learning organisations”. Although the learning function can be regarded as constituent for both organisational forms, the specific learning mechanisms are connected with opposing features (e.g. long-term, trustful collaboration versus short cyclical, disruptive collaboration). Referring to the first results of qualitative research conducted on the Munich software cluster, this paper aims to explore the functional interplay between projects and firms with regard to organisational learning. The main thesis is that processes of improvement, failure eradication and knowledge accumulation are more likely to take place in firms whereas processes of structural change are more likely to be organised in a project. In complementing one another these functions, however, also generate inconsistencies like contravening learning incentives or contingency traps. Therefore, projects and firms may be regarded as “discordant complements”.     

Gender diversity in senior management,strategic change,and firm performance: Examining the mediating nature of strategic change in high tech firms

Only recently have enough women joined senior leadership positions in high tech firms for research on senior management gender diversity in high tech industries to be possible. We propose that senior management gender diversity fosters strategic change in high tech firms, especially under conditions where alliance formation intensity and top management team (TMT) educational background diversity are high, because the breadth of opportunity and knowledge associated with these conditions facilitates implementation of new ideas. Results show that both inter-organizational strategic alliance formation intensity and TMT educational background diversity positively moderate the relationship between senior management gender diversity and strategic change. We also find support for a moderated mediation model whereby a gender-diverse senior management positively impacts strategic change, which ultimately improves firm performance when the firm exhibits high alliance formation intensity and has a TMT that is diverse across educational background.     

组织记忆、组织学习与供应商创新能力关系研究——基于外包情境的实证研究

基于177家中国外包企业创新管理的数据,本文采用多元层级回归方法,对组织记忆、组织学习、需求不确定性与供应商创新能力之间的关系进行了理论探讨和实证检验,试图揭示出组织记忆和组织学习对供应商创新能力的差异性影响,并对顾客需求不确定性在组织记忆、组织学习与供应商创新能力的关系中所扮演的调节效应进行了实证分析。研究结果显示,在外包情境下,组织记忆对供应商创新能力的正向影响大于组织学习的正向影响;需求不确定性对组织记忆与供应商创新能力之间的关系具有显著的正向调节作用,而对组织学习与供应商创新能力之间的关系具有显著的负向调节作用。