Exploring the Determinants of Network Effectiveness: The Case of Neighborhood Governance Networks in Beijing

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weijie Wang
Keyword(s):  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Network Effectiveness ◽  
Civic Organizations ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Governance Networks ◽  
Neighborhood Governance

Based on the models proposed by Provan and Milward and Provan and Kenis, this article employed a mixed-methods approach to study the determinants of the effectiveness of governance networks. The article is based on 22 neighborhood governance networks in Beijing with each network consisting of public, business, and civic organizations. Linear regression was used to identify independent variables that exert statistically significant influence over network effectiveness, and the fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis was used to investigate the complex interactions between explanatory variables. The analysis revealed different but functionally equivalent configurations of causal conditions that led to network effectiveness and showed that configurations of factors leading to network effectiveness were different from those leading to network ineffectiveness. The results also suggested that network structural characteristics such as network centralization and density are neither sufficient nor necessary conditions for network effectiveness. In contrast to Provan and Milward’s findings, the results suggest that network density is more important than network centralization in affecting effectiveness in small networks. Resource munificence was identified as an “almost always” necessary condition for network effectiveness.

scholarly journals Configurational Analysis of the Driving Paths of Chinese Digital Economy Based on the Technology–Organization–Environment Framework

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824402110545
Author(s):  
Shuangying Chen ◽  
Qiyue Li ◽  
Bo Lei ◽  
Na Wang
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Digital Economy ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Configurational Analysis ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Toe Framework ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Using Data

The purpose of this study was to examine the combinations of factors driving the digital economy and their configurational pathways, based on the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework. Using data on 31 Chinese provinces, the study integrated the TOE framework with Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to examine the digital economy. The results indicate that (a) firms’ digital competence is a necessary condition for the development of the digital economy; (b) four pathways drive high levels of digital economic development and three pathways lead to low levels of digital economic development; and (c) these pathways indicate asymmetry between high and low levels of digital economic development. The findings enhance understanding of the complex interactions of multiple factors driving the digital economy. They also yield policy recommendations for the development of the digital economy.

scholarly journals Research on the Relationship between Shared Leadership and Individual Creativity-Qualitative Comparative Analysis on the Basis of Clear Set

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5445
Author(s):  
Muyun Sun ◽  
Jigan Wang ◽  
Ting Wen
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Shared Leadership ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Sufficient And Necessary Condition

Creativity is the key to obtaining and maintaining competitiveness of modern organizations, and it has attracted much attention from academic circles and management practices. Shared leadership is believed to effectively influence team output. However, research on the impact of individual creativity is still in its infancy. This study adopts the qualitative comparative analysis method, taking 1584 individuals as the research objects, underpinned by a questionnaire-based survey. It investigates the influence of the team’s shared leadership network elements and organizational environmental factors on the individual creativity. We have found that there are six combination of conditions of shared leadership and organizational environmental factors constituting sufficient combination of conditions to increase or decrease individual creativity. Moreover, we have noticed that the low network density of shared leadership is a sufficient and necessary condition of reducing individual creativity. Our results also provide management suggestions for practical activities during the team management.

scholarly journals Brook trout passage performance through culverts

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa Goerig ◽  
Theodore Castro-Santos ◽  
Normand Émile Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Fontinalis ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Passive Integrated Transponder ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Several Variables ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Steep Slopes ◽  
Corrugated Metal

Culverts can restrict access to habitat for stream-dwelling fishes. We used passive integrated transponder telemetry to quantify passage performance of >1000 wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) attempting to pass 13 culverts in Quebec under a range of hydraulic and environmental conditions. Several variables influenced passage success, including complex interactions between physiology and behavior, hydraulics, and structural characteristics. The probability of successful passage was greater through corrugated metal culverts than through smooth ones, particularly among smaller fish. Trout were also more likely to pass at warmer temperatures, but this effect diminished above 15 °C. Passage was impeded at higher flows, through culverts with steep slopes, and those with deep downstream pools. This study provides insight on factors influencing brook trout capacity to pass culverts as well as a model to estimate passage success under various conditions, with an improved resolution and accuracy over existing approaches. It also presents methods that could be used to investigate passage success of other species, with implications for connectivity of the riverscape.

Factors affecting transaction costs in megaprojects: a qualitative comparative analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dedong Wang ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Yongqiang Lu
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Transaction Costs ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Asset Specificity ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Relational Contract ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Project Costs

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing the transaction costs (TCs) in megaprojects to provide a basis for controlling project costs.Design/methodology/approachThis study selects six factors influencing the TCs in megaprojects from the perspective of TC theory and relational contract theory (RCT) through literature review. On the basis of crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), this study tests combined factors influencing the TCs and the interaction between them.FindingsResults show that in megaprojects, TCs are affected by combination factors. The combination of asset specificity, uncertainty, transaction frequency and trust and the combination of asset specificity, reputation and trust will control TCs in certain situations. In the configuration leading to high project TCs, the combination of environmental and behavioral uncertainties is a necessary condition.Originality/valueThis paper fills up the research gap in the field of megaproject TCs, and researchers can focus on this field in the future.

Digital service innovation: a paradigm shift in technological innovation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Opazo-Basáez ◽  
Ferran Vendrell-Herrero ◽  
Oscar F. Bustinza
Keyword(s):  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Manufacturing Industries ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Service ◽  
Product Innovations ◽  
Computer Based

PurposeExisting innovation frameworks suggest that manufacturing firms have traditionally developed a complementary model of technological innovations comprising process and product innovations (e.g. Oslo Manual). This article presents digital service innovation as a novel form of technological innovation that is capable of enhancing the performance of firms in certain manufacturing industries.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on technological innovation and digital servitization fields of research, this study argues that digital service innovation, in manufacturing contexts, complements traditional sources of technological innovation, so increasing the profit margins of firms. This effect is significant in industries characterized by business-to-business contexts, high presence of link channels and long product life spans (e.g. manufacturing and computer-based industries). Predictions are tested on a unique sample of 423 Spanish manufacturing firms using parametric (t-test) and nonparametric (fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, fsQCA) approaches.FindingsThe results of this analysis show that a necessary condition so that manufacturing firms can increase profits is the deployment of simultaneous process and product innovations. It also reveals that optimal configuration requires that digital service innovation be undertaken, particularly in machinery and computer-based manufacturing industries. Hence, all three sources of technological innovation are brought together in order to reach the highest levels of company performance. The evidence suggests that technological innovation and digital servitization are closely interrelated in highly innovative manufacturing contexts.Originality/valueThis study's originality and value reside in the fact that it reveals the existence of firms incorporating digital service innovation – a new, technological innovation dimension that challenges existing innovation frameworks – to complement traditional technological innovation sources, namely process and product innovation. Moreover, the study conceptualizes and empirically tests the value-adding role of digital services in firms' technological innovation portfolio.

scholarly journals Attitudes Towards Statistics in Secondary Education: Findings from fsQCA

Mathematics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ángel Peiró-Signes ◽  
Óscar Trull ◽  
Marival Segarra-Oña ◽  
J. Carlos García-Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Education ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
School Students ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Attitudes Toward Statistics ◽  
High Degree

Students report a high degree of anxiety and reduced self-confidence when facing statistical subjects, especially in secondary education. This anxiety turns into poor academic performance. Most studies have used linear models for studying the interrelation between different attitudes and proving their impact on performance or related variables. This study uses a different approach to explain and better understand the causal patterns of factors stimulating lower levels of anxiety in students when facing statistics in secondary education. We employed the Multi-factorial Scale of Attitudes Toward Statistics (MSATS) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on a sample of 95 secondary school students in Spain. We identified the recipes or causal combination of factors, leading to low and high levels of anxiety. The results indicate that self-confidence and motivation are important factors in these recipes, but there is no single necessary condition that ensures lower levels of anxiety.

Hybrid Model for Estimating Permitted Left-Turn Saturation Flow Rate

1996 ◽  
Vol 1566 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang-Len Chang ◽  
Chien-Yu Chen ◽  
Cesar Perez
Keyword(s):  
Hybrid Model ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Heavy Vehicle ◽  
Simulation Experiments ◽  
Left Turn ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Saturation Flow Rate ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
Saturation Flow

This study explored the integration of analytical formulations with simulation results for estimating the complex permitted saturation flow rate. The proposed hybrid model captured most tractable interactions between the permitted flow rate and the opposing flows with the widely used formulation by Drew, which serves as one of the primary explanatory variables. To further consider the complex interactions between the permitted flow rate and all other associated factors, which often are not consistent with the assumptions used in analytical derivations, this study modeled the intractable relations as multiplicative adjustment terms and estimated their parameters with log-linear regression. Such a hybrid formulation offers the flexibility to incorporate various additional critical factors on the permitted flow rate, including the variation of driving behavior, the number of opposing lanes, the progression quality, and the heavy vehicle percentage. The preliminary tests with extensive simulation experiments have shown very promising results.

Knowledge transfer and managers turnover: impact on team performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Trequattrini ◽  
Maurizio Massaro ◽  
Alessandra Lardo ◽  
Benedetta Cuozzo
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Team Performance ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables

PurposeThe paper aims to investigate the emerging issue of knowledge transfer and organisational performance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of knowledge transfer in obtaining high and positive results in organisations, in particular, studying the role of managers’ skills transfer and which conditions help to achieve positive performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research analyses 41 cases of coaches that managed clubs competing in the major international leagues in the 2014–2015 season and that moved to a new club over the past five seasons. The authors employ a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) methodology. According to the research question, the outcome variable used is the team sport performance improvement. As explanatory variables, the authors focus on five main variables: the history of coach transfers; the staff transferred; the players transferred; investments in new players and the competitiveness.FindingsThe overall results show that when specific conditions are realised simultaneously, they allow team performance improvement, even if the literature states that the coach transfers show a negative impact on outcomes. Interestingly, this work reaches contrasting results because it shows the need for the coexistence of combinations of variables to achieve the transferability of managers’ capabilities and performance.Originality/valueThe paper is novel because it presents a QCA that tries to understand which conditions, factors and contexts help knowledge to be transferred and to contribute to the successful run of organisations.

Why Minor Powers Risk Wars with Major Powers

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinko Bobić
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Window Of Opportunity ◽  
Major Power ◽  
Power Politics ◽  
Asymmetric Conflict ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Major Powers ◽  
Regime Stability ◽  
Minor Powers

Major powers have immense resources at their disposal, while minor powers are assumed to avoid wars and power politics due to structural and material constraints. This provokes the question why do some minor powers nonetheless decide to militarily engage their vastly stronger opponents, particularly major powers? Inspired by several theoretical insights, this book proposes a more complex framework of minor powers in interstate asymmetric conflict. It analyses five conditions highlighted by previous studies: domestic crisis, foreign support, window of opportunity, anomalous beliefs, and regime stability. The theoretical framework works well with a mixed-methods approach, a medium-N research design (Qualitative Comparative Analysis), and three case studies: Iraq (1990), Moldova (1992), and Serbia (1999). The book finds that by looking through the lenses of multiple theories, one can observe a more nuanced relationship how different conditions interact in impacting minor powers’ decisions. Ultimately, minor powers militarily engage major powers when facing a more important domestic crisis and when they also believe that they have a window of opportunity or support from another major power in order to constrain major powers’ capability and resolve. Looking at the current conflict in Syria, there are important policy implications given the observation that minor powers do and will continue to challenge major powers in the future.

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