Diffusion of Innovations

Don't count out alternative vehicles just yet

by Edwin Stafford

A commentary for the Salt Lake Tribune comparing the current progress of the diffusion of electric vehicles versus... more A commentary for the Salt Lake Tribune comparing the current progress of the diffusion of electric vehicles versus compressed natural gas vehicles. 

Socio-Technical Knowledge Management and Epistemological Paradigms: Theoretical Connections at the Individual and Organisational Level

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M. (2011). Socio-technical knowledge management and epistemological paradigms: Theoretical connections at the individual and organisational level. Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management, 6(1), 1 – 16.

This paper provides an evaluation of the literature pertaining to the autopoietic, connectionist, and cognitivist... more This paper provides an evaluation of the literature pertaining to the autopoietic, connectionist, and cognitivist epistemological paradigms. These paradigms exist at the individual and organisational level through diametrically opposed functionalist versus interpretive and integrative socio-technical knowledge management perspectives. The alignments of individual and organisational epistemologies are essential to the effectiveness of a knowledge management system. Knowl-edge management should consider the roots of knowledge theoretically in order to share or man-age knowledge dissemination successfully in organisations. The term ‘knowledge sharing’ has been emphasised and discussed comprehensively through its epistemological influential factors. This paper concludes the development of a Knowledge Management Epistemological Synthesis Model (KM-ES Model) and a comprehensive discussion and conclusion section focussing on the implications of epistemological influences on the knowledge management system of an organisa-tion. The results from this study provide both researchers and academicians with a clear under-standing of the interplay between epistemologies and a foundation for establishing an effective organisational knowledge management system.

Keywords: socio-technical, knowledge management, knowledge sharing, epistemology, cognitiv-ist, connectionist, autopoietic, functionalist, interpretive, KM-ES Model

Knowledge Management Views in Eastern and Western Cultures: An Integrative Analysis

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M., & Ogilvie, K. (2010). Knowledge management views in eastern and western cultures: An integrative analysis. Journal of Knowledge Globalization, 3(2), 51 – 69.

Traditional eastern and western views of knowledge continue to influence the knowledge management practices in today’s... more Traditional eastern and western views of knowledge continue to influence the knowledge management practices in today’s global workplace. Based on these views, several dominant theories have emerged on how to best manage in the international work environment. This research illustrates contradictions in these theories and extracts a new perspective from the dynamic literature stream. This innovative perspective provides an opportunity to leverage cultures and relationships holistically for effective knowledge transfer and cross-cultural understanding, and hence for effective management

Keywords: Knowledge, Culture, International Management, Knowledge Management, Hofstede Framework

Cultural perspectives on knowledge management in central and eastern Europe: The SECI model of knowledge conversion and ‘ba’

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M., & Ogilvie, K. (2010). Cultural perspectives on knowledge management in central and eastern Europe: The SECI model of knowledge conversion and ‘ba’. Journal of Information & Knowledge Management, 9(2), 161 – 169.

This research discusses the SECI Model of Knowledge Conversion as it relates to the 10 Central and Eastern European... more This research discusses the SECI Model of Knowledge Conversion as it relates to the 10 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) that are now part of the European Union (EU). The socio-economic conversion from socialism to capitalism of these societies is unique in historical precedence, whereby utilising the contextual models in knowledge conversion are applicable for understanding the implications of such a phenomenon. The results indicate that there is a unique set of variables that need to be considered within this context and for future similar situations.

Keywords: SECI; knowledge conversion; national culture; Ba; central and eastern Europe.

Multidisciplinary Technical Teams: A Case Study

by Matthew Jelavic

Ogilvie, K., & Jelavic, M. (2009). Multidisciplinary technical teams: A case study. Canadian Manager, 33(3), 18 – 19.

Interorganizational Macrocultures in the North American Automotive Manufacturing Industry

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M., & Ogilvie, K. (2009). Interorganizational macrocultures in the North American automotive manufacturing industry. Canadian Manager, 34(2), 20 – 21.

Maslow and Management: Universally Applicable or Idiosyncratic?

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M., & Ogilvie, K. (2010). Maslow and management: Universally applicable or idiosyncratic? Canadian Manager, 34(4), 16 – 17.

Globalization, Knowledge Workers and the Expanding European Union: A Lesson for North America?

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M., & Ogilvie, K. (2010). Globalization, knowledge workers and the expanding European Union: A lesson for North America? Canadian Manager, 35(1), 26 – 27.

Social Network Mapping and Analysis in the Global Aerospace Community

by Matthew Jelavic

Ogilvie, K., & Jelavic, M. (2010). Social network mapping and analysis in the global aerospace community. Canadian Manager, 35(2), 20 – 21.

Management Consulting: Understanding the Process Using Concepts in Neuroscience

by Matthew Jelavic

Vincenti, M., & Jelavic, M. (2011). Management consulting: Understanding the process using concepts in neuroscience. Canadian Manager, 35(4), 22 – 23.

Competence Management in High-Technology Organizations

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M. (2011). Competence management in high-technology organizations. Canadian Manager, 36(1), 21 – 22.

Tacit Knowledge and Personal Competitive Advantage: An Autopoietic Framework for Knowledge Management in Human Resources

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M. (2011). Tacit knowledge and personal competitive advantage: An autopoietic framework for knowledge management in human resources. Canadian Manager, 36(3), 22 – 23.

The Neurobiology of Experience: Memory-Prediction and Its Role in the Management Decision-Making Process

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M., & Vincenti, M. (2012). The Neurobiology of Experience: Memory-Prediction and Its Role in the Management Decision-Making Process. Canadian Manager, 36(4), 26 – 27.

The Brain Drain: Implications for Regional Economic Integration in the Expanding European Union.

by Matthew Jelavic

Jelavic, M. (2012). The brain drain: Implications for regional economic integration in the expanding European Union. In B. Chapalet, & M. Le Berre (Eds.), Producing New Knowledge on Innovation Management. Presses Universitaires de Grenoble, 99 – 111.

This paper provides a review and conceptual analysis of issues surrounding regional economic integration and the... more This paper provides a review and conceptual analysis of issues surrounding regional economic integration and the potential for inter-country brain drain within the expanding European Union (EU). As the EU expands eastward, it absorbs millions of highly skilled knowledge workers and opens opportunities for western European organisations to capitalise on this workforce. The migration of these skilled workers is a macro-exercise in eastern European knowledge management, and could have far-reaching implications at the regional, industry and organisational levels. This paper explores the context and implications of knowledge worker movement across fading borders.

McLuhan, Burawoy, McLuhan: Extending Anthropic Communications

by Gregory Sandstrom

Subtitle: On the Human Equation, the Extended Case Method and Human Extension

Published in: Revista da Associação Nacional dos Programas de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação | E-compós, Brasília, v.14, n.3, set./dez. 2011.

One of the main contributions that Marshall McLuhan made to the fields of culture, technology and communication was... more One of the main contributions that Marshall McLuhan made to the fields of culture, technology and communication was the idea of ‘the extensions of man,’ the subtitle of his masterpiece “Understanding Media” (1964). Here the idea of ‘human extension’ is explored for application in human-social sciences, along with the notion of ‘the extended case method’ promoted by current President of the International Sociological
Association, Michael Burawoy with its origins in the Manchester School of Social Anthropology.

‘Human extension’ is offered as an alternative approach to the ‘evolution’ of artefacts and is connected to the communications works of Marshall and his son Eric, reaching to the recent idea of a general ‘human equation.’

Zur Ausbreitung vorderasiatischer Innovationen in die frühbronzezeitliche Ägäis

by Lorenz Rahmstorf

Published in 'Prähistorische Zeitschrift' 81, 2006, 49-96.
Figs. 3 and 9 have faults in the numbering (compare lists at the end of the text). Corrected figures can be obtained from me.

Numerous pieces of evidence point to cultural relations between Syria, Anatolia and the Aegean in the second half of... more Numerous pieces of evidence point to cultural relations between Syria, Anatolia and the Aegean in the second half of the third millennium BC. This is demonstrated not so much by the relatively small number of oriental imports, but rather by the adoption of important Near Eastern innovations in the Aegean. For example: conform sets of dishes, which indicate comparable drinking customs as well as the first use of the fast potter’s wheel in the Aegean; signs of comparable personal hygiene customs; the use of seals in administration; and an advanced metallurgical tradition that processed precious metals and alloys. The Aegean was closely connected with developments originating primarily in Syria where, in the centuries following 2500 BC, urbane culture experienced a second blossoming after the Uruk Age. The enormous need of Syrian cities for raw materials and prestige goods called for extensive trade contacts. New findings show that these trade contacts were facilitated by wide-spread, standardised metrological systems, which were also used in the Aegean. Recently identified Early Bronze Age weights from the Aegean are based on the same metrological systems used in Syria. This demonstrates that they had the same cognitive abilities. Between 2500 and 2200 BC, regional trade routes merged into a large Eastern Mediterranean network where various innovations were passed on. The Aegean was therefore already integrated in the periphery of the Near Eastern exchange system between 2500 and 2200 BC.

Re-integrating 'Diffusion': the Spread of Innovations among the Neolithic and Bronze Age Societies of Europe and the Near East

by Lorenz Rahmstorf

published in Interweaving worlds: systemic interactions in Eurasia, 7th to 1st millennia BC, eds. T. Wilkinson, S. Sherratt & J. Bennet. International Conference, 1st–4th April 2008, Sheffield. Oxford: Oxbow 2011, 100-119

Diffusion has become a ‘dirty word’ in many quarters of archaeology, but a realistic consideration of the empirical... more Diffusion has become a ‘dirty word’ in many quarters of archaeology, but a realistic consideration of the empirical data shows the importance of spreading innovations from one area to another in the ancient world. This paper makes use of a modern framework to analyse diffusion of technologies in order to make sense of three important and potentially profoundly linked innovations from the later fourth and third millennia BC in Western Asia and Europe: tin-bronzes, sealing practices and weight metrology. It is argued that macro-scale processes, like the spread or diffusion of innovations studied in world systems approaches to pre- and protohistory, cannot be adequately assessed or critiqued without the detailed analysis of empirical data.

Social Constraints, Agency, Inter-organizational Tie Formation and Knowledge Diffusion

by Maria Christina Binz-Scharf

Co-authored with Jason Greenberg, David Lazer, and Ines Mergel

Social capital is currently one of social structure‘s most prominent and debated manifestations. However, we have a... more Social capital is currently one of social structure‘s most prominent and debated manifestations. However, we have a limited understanding of how social ties as the basis of social capital form in the first place. From one perspective social capital is viewed as: "investment in social relations with expected returns in the marketplace" (Lin 2001, p. 19). A second perspective on social capital formation stresses contextual and environmental features beyond the control of individuals that may yield benefits. Both perspectives are based on premises implicating various motives and structural constraints pertaining to relationship formation including: exchange, power, and dependency; legitimacy seeking or preferential attachment based on status or prestige; homogeneity or homophily and related selection processes; propinquity; or cultural or institutional forces. These categories of mechanisms do not, however, specify a model of how social relationships as social capital are formed in the first place.

If social capital results from "investment strategies," it is important to determine what these strategies are. If social capital originates from structural factors beyond individual control it is important to clarify what mechanisms lead to tie formation within social structures.

The objective of this research is to specify mechanisms of social tie formation and reinforcement by peering inside the black-box of foci (Feld 1981) in which social ties are formed. We do so by focusing on the structural contexts within which individual (micro-level) corporate actors form social relationships for knowledge acquisition that results in macro-level knowledge sharing. A mixed-method analytical approach is employed to this end. Findings illustrate how the subtleties of social structure define the parameters within which social relationships are (strategically) formed.

Searching for Answers: Networks of Practice Among Public Administrators

by Maria Christina Binz-Scharf

Co-authored with David Lazer and Ines Mergel, published in The American Review of Public Administration 2012 (42)202, pp.202-225

How do public administrators find information about the problems they confront at work? In particular, how and when do... more How do public administrators find information about the problems they confront at work? In particular, how and when do they reach across organizational boundaries to find answers? There are substantial potential obstacles to such searches for answers, especially in a system of decentralized governance such as the U.S. government. In this article, we examine the alternative mechanisms within the public sector that compensate for this dispersion of expertise, focusing on knowledge sharing across public DNA forensics laboratories. In particular, we propose that the emergence of informal interpersonal networks plays an important role in providing access to necessary expertise within a highly decentralized system. Our findings point both to the need for further research on knowledge sharing networks within the public sector as well as practical implications around the value of investments into facilitating the creation and maintenance of networks of practice.

Pool Funai - PADM 9000 - Feminism in a Flat World paper

by Angela Pool Funai