IT and Innovation

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.

Learning Experiences From An Interdisciplinary and Cross-Institutional Innovation Project As Part of a Robot Festival

by Lars Bojen

Impact of Technology Integration on Academic Performance of Texas School Children

by Texas State PA Applied Research Projects

Weathersbee, Julia Catherine, "Impact of Technology Integration on Academic Performance of Texas School Children" (2008). Applied Research Projects, Texas State University-San Marcos. Paper 272.
http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/272

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact technology integration in public schools has on the... more Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact technology integration in public schools has on the academic performance of public school students.
Method: Data for this study were obtained from the Texas Education Agency. The study uses data measuring the level of technology integration in over 6,654 Texas public school campuses as well as TAKS scores of 4th, 8th, and 11th graders in the subject areas of reading, math, and science. Four areas of technology integration are identified and examined for their possible impact on the academic performance of public school students. A multiple regression analysis was used to assess the impact of the four areas of technology integration on academic performance.
Results: The results show that overall the integration of technology in the classroom impacts the academic performance of students in the subject areas reading, math, and science.
Conclusion: This research study provides valuable information regarding the necessity of integrating technology into public schools. While this field of research is still in its infancy, this study conveys the impact technology has on academic performance and the importance of further research in examining its effects.

Leadership, innovation, and technology: The evolution of the creative process

by Lily Cushenbery

Hunter, S. T., Cushenbery, L., Ginther, N., & Fairchild, J. A. (in press). Leadership, innovation, and technology: The evolution of the creative process. In S. Hemlin (Ed.) Creativity and Leadership in Science Technology and Innovation.

In this chapter we explore how current and emerging forms of technology are impacting the creative process and how... more In this chapter we explore how current and emerging forms of technology are impacting the creative process and how leaders might play a role in shaping technology use and application. Using Mumford and colleagues eight-stage creative process model as a framework, the results of this chapter reveal five primary themes. First, in the relatively short term it seems that technology’s primary role is in speeding up activities comprising the creative process. Second, although most forms of technology supplement current innovation activities there are signs that some unique forms of technology may be fundamentally altering some creative processes. Third, several emergent technologies such as crowdsourcing are beginning to integrate the general public into the design process which has a number of implications for how organizations pursue a strategy for innovation in the future. Fourth, as processes speed up and lines between consumer and designer are blurred we must ask ourselves if current creativity and innovation models will be as applicable to tomorrow’s design community as they are today. Finally, we conclude with a discussion on the role of leadership in shaping technology adoption and suggest that leaders serve as significant drivers of appropriate technology use in creative endeavors.

Adoption and Sophistication of Clinical Information Systems in Greek Public Hospitals: Results from a National Web-based Survey

by Spyros Kitsiou

Gender and innovation for corporate change in ICT: Culture as continuity or change for women workers?

by Jörg Müller

Sáinz, M., González, A., Palmén, R., Müller, J., Castaño, C. (2009). Gender and innovation for corporate change in ICT: Culture as continuity or change for women workers?. IN3 Internet Interdisciplinary Institute Working Paper Series WP09-001

The presence and position of women working in ICT companies in Spain has until now been unchartered territory. This... more The presence and position of women working in ICT companies in Spain has until now been unchartered territory. This working paper is based on a research project looking at women’s participation and position in the ICT sector in Spain. Empirical research consisted of both quantitative and qualitative analysis including a survey to 327 companies (48% response rate) and 12 indepth case studies in a range of ICT companies. Findings from the quantitative analysis revolved around three main issues, a) how male and female respondents perceived different barriers hindering the access of women to top positions b) how the culture, size and the type of innovative company influenced the implementation of gender sensitive policies c) how the increased presence of women in management could be linked to the implementation of gender sensitive policies. Findings from the qualitative analysis enabled us to develop a typology of companies according to their conception of ‘equality’ (non-discrimination v diversity), openness to change (space/ time), implementation of gender sensitive measures (reactive/ proactive) and level of formalization. The main findings of the research highlighted major differences between how multinational (Anglo-Saxon culture) and Spanish (Latin culture) companies operate in terms of the above axes. Our research showed how company cultures therefore act as either a barrier
hindering women’s entry and progression or can open up opportunities for women in the ICT industry.

Integrating Technology with the Creative Design Process

by Lily Cushenbery

Fairchild, J. A., Cassidy, S., Cushenbery, L., & Hunter, S. T. (2011). The impact of technology on process-models of creativity. In A. Mesquita (Ed.) Technology for Creativity and Innovation: Tools, Techniques, and Applications (pp. 26-51). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

In our fast-paced world, it is necessary for organizations to continually innovate in order to stay competi- tive. At... more In our fast-paced world, it is necessary for organizations to continually innovate in order to stay competi- tive. At the same time, technology is continually advancing, and tools to facilitate work are frequently changing. This forces organizations to stay abreast of current technologies, and also puts pressure on employees to utilize the technologies available to them in order to devise innovative solutions that further the organization’s goals. To date, there has been little research on how such technologies may best be used to facilitate such creative performance. The present chapter addresses this gap by integrating a model of the creative process from the psychology literature with technology literature from engineering and information technology. This chapter examines how specific technologies may influence performance at each stage of the creative process, and provides specific recommendations for how technology may be used to facilitate the development of creative solutions.

Three decades of national ICT programs in the Israeli education system

by Zvia Elgali

co-authored with Yoram M. Kalman

In the last thirty years we have witnessed the announcement of a dozen national information and communication... more In the last thirty years we have witnessed the announcement of a dozen national information and communication technology (ICT) programs for the Israeli K-12 education system. This study reviews these national programs in an attempt to identify trends in the perception of the role of ICT’s in the education system. The study identifies a high level of similarity between the various programs in regards to issues such as the national importance of ICT’s, the need for a national repository of educational content, and the need to develop appropriate human and technological infrastructure. It also identifies changes in the perception of the computer as a “teaching machine” that can replace the teacher, a perception which emerged in the early programs, but disappeared in the last two decades. Similarly, the topic of computer science teaching is no longer a part of these national programs. On the other hand, we see the rising importance of ICT’s in supporting individual development. The study identifies spiral trends, the revival of past goals, and the emergence of new goals. This study lays the foundation for a
study of the relationships between the national ICT programs in the Israeli education system, and social, political and technological factors.