Control and autonomy irony in communities of practice from a power-based perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobin Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Organized ◽  
Power Base ◽  
General Feeling ◽  
Situational Learning ◽  
Informal Groups

Purpose The extant literature provides evidence that control measures employed in communities of practice (CoPs) have undergone significant changes with the evolution of the concept. When it started as a self-organized group, its members had the freedom to pursue their own interests. Now, CoPs are moving closer toward bureaucratic form of control. The purpose of this paper is to discuss that although it might still be difficult to locate the power base in a CoP, undercurrents suggest that they have a strong affinity for managements’ interests. Design/methodology/approach This approach taken in this paper is to present a historical background, contrast characteristics of present CoPs with its earlier versions and develop propositions highlighting a power-based perspective on leadership, sponsorship and objectives for CoPs within an existing organization. Findings The authors have found that power in a CoP has undergone tremendous changes from the time when it was introduced by Lave and Wenger (1991). When it started as a self-organized group, control exerted was null and void, as the members were given freedom to pursue their interests. The paper shows that CoPs can be formed intentionally, which is quite contrary to the common belief that they emerge naturally. Now, CoPs are moving closer toward bureaucratic form of control with the setting up of governance committees. This has serious repercussions for their autonomy, as envisaged by the early proponents of CoP, who believed that closely knit informal groups would enhance situational learning. Originality/value There is a general feeling that the word “autonomy” is a misnomer for CoP today. The power that once rested with the CoP group has been taken over by management in the form of sponsorship, goal congruency, etc. What appears as powerful in a CoP today is the sponsor and the CoP has ceased to exist as they used to be. This paper makes it clear that a CoP approach can provide value to the modern organization. However, if the issues discussed herein with regard to organizational power are not appropriately accounted for, CoP may fall short of expectations.

Relational governance in outsourcing partnerships

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuradha Mathrani ◽  
Sanjay Mathrani
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Offshore Outsourcing ◽  
Relational Exchange ◽  
Relational Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Narrative Storylines

Purpose The paper aims to capture the nuances of two client–supplier relationships to offer new insights on the influences of transactional, knowledge and social elements in outsourcing partnerships. Design/methodology/approach The study has used descriptive case studies with narrative storylines. Interviews were conducted with three relationship managers (boundary gatekeepers) to understand preferred governance practices between clients and suppliers in diverse economic markets. Findings Experiences of three real-life cases engaged in offshore outsourcing have helped to identify the market, operational knowledge and social influences in a relational exchange. Findings reveal that offshore partnerships are first constituted with service-level agreements, which set control measures and layout business expectations from both partners. Boundary gatekeepers bring further accountability across firms by designing social networks for capturing and sharing of knowledge, thereby reducing each partner’s perception of risk. As firms evaluate transactional, knowledge and social elements for building a futuristic relational exchange, more disaggregated and dispersed enterprises evolve as new opportunities are explored in foreign markets. Research limitations/implications The retrospective nature of the client–supplier partnership is a limitation in this research study. However, retrospection adds to experience, and to practice perspectives made in hindsight, and therefore has a positive influence in this study. Originality/value This paper shares real-world experiences that can be used by scholars and practitioners to better understand how relational governance practices operate in a global socio-economic setting.

Influence of occupational heat stress on labour productivity – a case study from Chennai, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremiah Chinnadurai ◽  
Vidhya Venugopal ◽  
Kumaravel P ◽  
Paramesh R
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Threshold Limit Value ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – Raise in temperatures due to climate change is likely to increase the heat stress in occupations that are physically exerting and performed outdoors which might potentially have adverse health and productivity consequences. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the productivities in construction work under the influence of heat stress using the predicted mean vote (PMV) index. Design/methodology/approach – Field studies were conducted during May 2014 which is summer time in Chennai. Continuous heart rate of workers and wet bulb globe temperature measurements are conducted for workers engaged in different jobs in construction. Metabolic rates and the workload of the workers from heart rate were calculated using the ISO method 8996 and the PMV values are calculated using the tool developed by Malchaire based on the method ISO 7730. Direct observations and personal interviews were conducted to substantiate the productivity estimations. Findings – The results showed that workers working outdoors with moderate and heavy workload exceeded the threshold limit value of 28°C and had adverse productivity impacts (18-35 per cent productivity loss), whereas the workers engaged in light indoor work was not affected by heat stress and consequent productivity losses. The productivity estimations using the PMV index is found to be statistically significant for three types of construction works (Pearson correlation coefficient value of −0.78) and also correlated well with the observations and self-reported productivities of the workers. Originality/value – The method used in this paper provides a scientific and reliable estimation of the productivities which may benefit the industry to set realistic project completion goals in hot weather and also implement interventions and policies to protect workers’ health. Developing adaptive strategies and implementing control measures are the need of the hour to protect worker’s health and economic losses in the face of climate change.

scholarly journals Molecular and Epidemiological Characterization of IMP-Type Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacter cloacae in a Large Tertiary Care Hospital in Japan

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 3441-3450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayoko Hayakawa ◽  
Tohru Miyoshi-Akiyama ◽  
Teruo Kirikae ◽  
Maki Nagamatsu ◽  
Kayo Shimada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Enterobacter Cloacae ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Invasive Procedures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Large Tertiary Care ◽  
Close Relationship

ABSTRACTIMP-type metallo-β-lactamase enzymes have been reported in different geographical areas and in various Gram-negative bacteria. However, the risk factors and epidemiology pertaining to IMP-type metallo-β-lactamase-producingEnterobacter cloacae(IMP-producingE. cloacae) have not been systematically evaluated. We conducted a retrospective, matched case-control study of patients from whom IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates were obtained, in addition to performing thorough molecular analyses of the clinically obtained IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates. Unique cases with IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolation were included. Patients with IMP-producingE. cloacaewere matched to uninfected controls at a ratio of 1 to 3. Fifteen IMP-producingE. cloacaecases were identified, with five of the isolates being obtained from blood, and they were matched to 45 uninfected controls. All (100%) patients from whom IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates were obtained had indwelling devices at the time of isolation, compared with one (2.2%) uninfected control. Independent predictors for isolation of IMP-producingE. cloacaewere identified as cephalosporin exposure and invasive procedures within 3 months. Although in-hospital mortality rates were similar between cases and controls (14.3% versus 13.3%), the in-hospital mortality of patients with IMP-producingE. cloacae-caused bacteremia was significantly higher (40%) than the rate in controls. IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates were frequently positive for other resistance determinants. The MICs of meropenem and imipenem were not elevated; 10 (67%) and 12 (80%) of the 15 IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates had a MIC of ≤1 μg/ml. A phylogenetic tree showed a close relationship among the IMP-producingE. cloacaesamples. Indwelling devices, exposure to cephalosporin, and a history of invasive procedures were associated with isolation of IMP-producingE. cloacae. Screening for carbapenemase production is important in order to apply appropriate clinical management and infection control measures.

Investigating the causal complexity of corruption in project-based organizations: a scenario analysis of bidding activity in the Chinese construction sector

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhixiu Wang ◽  
Junying Liu ◽  
Xinya Guan
Keyword(s):  
Role Playing ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Corruption ◽  
Global Construction ◽  
Role Playing Game ◽  
Multiple Configuration ◽  
Corrupt Behavior ◽  
Causal Complexity

PurposeAlthough the global construction industry has made great contributions to economic development, industry corruption is a challenge for governments all over the world. This paper aims to investigate the causal complexity of organizational corruption by exploring the configuration effect of multiple induced conditions of corruption in the construction sector.Design/methodology/approachThis study is focused on bribery, a specific form of corrupt behavior through a scenario-based survey role-playing game in which participants encounter bribery. A total of 400 Chinese construction sector participants were randomly recruited to complete this survey.FindingsCompared with studies that have identified a number of factors associated with corruption in the construction sector, this study found asymmetry and complexity in the causality of organizational corruption. That is, when a variable causing corruption changes from one condition to its opposite – for example, from fierce to mild competition – the degree of corruption is not necessarily reduced as one may expect.Practical implicationsAnti-corruption measures should not rely solely on the net effects of discrete conditions and the interactions between multiple factors should not be ignored. In other words, anti-corruption strategies should not be implemented in isolation of their context, and pairing control measures with configurations is critical in controlling corruption. Finally, multiple configuration paths should be reconsidered when considering the degree of corruption reduction.Originality/valueThis study proposes a comprehensive analysis framework for addressing organizational corruption in the construction sector by investigating configuration effects of multiple induced conditions and offers a useful method for addressing corruption.

Hong Kong’s response to COVID-19: a glance to the control measures and their enforcement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka Ki Lawrence Ho ◽  
Ying-Tung Chan
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Control ◽  
Viral Outbreak

Purpose This study aims to examine Hong Kong’s responses to COVID-19, arguing that Hong Kong’s relatively low infection rate is due to self-discipline of citizens together with the enforcement measures introduced by the government. Design/methodology/approach This study reviewed the government policy announcements and the prevailing scholarly analyses on Hong Kong society during COVID-19. Findings It starts by examining the partial lockdown and control measures since mid-January, and the roles of different government units in enforcement were examined and assessed. Suppression of viral outbreak in Hong Kong should primarily be attributed to the appropriate lockdown and quarantine actions of the government. Originality/value However, outperformance of the frontline professionals and the highly aware, self-disciplined and mutually aided citizens in the community are also the key to the “interim success” by June 2020 in the highly accessible and densely populated city.

A self-organized reciprocal control method for multi-robot simultaneous coverage and tracking

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 689-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Runfeng Chen ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Lincheng Shen
Keyword(s):  
Control Method ◽  
Task Assignment ◽  
Decision Time ◽  
Velocity Space ◽  
Deadweight Loss ◽  
Traffic Surveillance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Optimal Velocity ◽  
Service Environment ◽  
Self Organized

Purpose Multi-robots simultaneously coverage and tracking (SCAT) is the problem of simultaneously covering area and tracking targets, which is essential for many applications, such as delivery service, environment monitor, traffic surveillance, crime monitor, anti-terrorist mission and so on. The purpose of this paper is to improve the performance of detected target quantity, coverage rate and less deadweight loss by designing a self-organized method for multi-robots SCAT. Design/methodology/approach A self-organized reciprocal control method is proposed, coupling task assignment, tracking and covering, equipped with collision-avoiding ability naturally. First, SCAT problem is directly modeled as optimal reciprocal coverage velocity (ORCV) in velocity space. Second, the preferred velocity is generated by calculating the best velocity to the center of some robot detected targets. ORCV is given by adjusting the velocity relative to neighbor robots’ toward in optimal coverage velocity (OCV); it is proven that OCV is collision-free assembly. Third, some corresponding algorithms are designed for finding optimal velocity under two situations, such as no detected targets and empty ORCV. Findings The simulation results of two cases for security robots show that the proposed method has detected more targets with less deadweight loss and decision time and no collisions anytime. Originality/value In this paper, a self-organized reciprocal control method is proposed for multi-robots SCAT problem, which is modeled in velocity space directly, different to the traditional method modeling in configuration space. What is more, this method considers the reciprocal of robots that contributes to the better accomplishment of SCAT cooperatively.

Dealing with organizational silos with communities of practice and human resource management

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 473-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riitta Forsten-Astikainen ◽  
Pia Hurmelinna-Laukkanen ◽  
Tuija Lämsä ◽  
Pia Heilmann ◽  
Elina Hyrkäs
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Organizational Structures ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Organizational Boundaries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competence Management ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Hr Managers ◽  
Hr Function

Purpose Organizational silos that build on the existing organizational structures are often considered to have negative effects in the form of focus on private narrow objectives and organizational fragmentation. To avoid such harmful outcomes, competence management is called for, and in this, the human resources (HR) function takes a key role. Among other things, it can provide basis for emergence and utilization of communities of practice (CoPs) that build on common interests and effectively cross organizational boundaries. These features of CoPs allow them to carry competences and ease knowledge transfer and to break down the harmful isolation. Quite paradoxically, the challenge is that CoPs can also form within silos, thereby strengthening isolation, and HR as a utility department can itself be particularly prone to the silo effects. Examination of boundaries and silos through an original study conducted in a Finnish energy sector company suggests that HR managers need competences outside their own expertise area and courage to augment their CoPs across the functional boundaries to break out of the HR silo and to assist other functions to do the same. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on qualitative research data gathered in four focus group interviews with HR personnel from an energy sector company in November 2012. Totally, 19 professionals were interviewed (five HR partners, five talent development and performance managers, five vice presidents of HR and four HR managers) in the four focus groups. The company’s HR personnel represented units from Finland, Sweden, Poland and Estonia. Findings Examination of boundaries and silos in the Finnish energy sector suggests that HR managers need competences outside their own field (e.g. knowledge of the business and offerings of the firm) and courage to augment their CoPs across the functional boundaries to break out of the HR silo and to assist other functions to do the same. Originality/value Research provided that CoPs can have different effects on silos. As they are capable of crossing organizational and functional boundaries, they may effectively mitigate adverse silo effects; however, if CoPs are formed within silos, they may strengthen isolation and fragmentation. In addition, utility departments and supporting functions are particularly prone to the risk of CoPs forming within silos. The HR function is one manifestation of this. Paradoxically, it also has the potential to enhance the other type of effects that CoPs can exert, as competence management can be used to foster intentional and self-organizing CoPs that counter silo effects.

Creating communities: the use of technology in craft and DIY communities of practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Holmes ◽  
Anita Greenhill ◽  
Rachel McLean
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to gain insight into craft and do-it-yourself (DIY) communities of practice (COPs) and how the use of technology provides ways for participants to connect, share and create. Gaining deeper insights into the practices of these communities may provide new opportunities to utilise within this flourishing domain. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative methods were adopted to collect data and analysed through an interpretivist lens. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of craft and DIY COPs to gain a deep understanding of the broader ethnographic study. Existing theoretical perspectives surrounding COPs have been applied to further current perspectives. Findings – Findings from this study suggest that being part of a COP allows participants to connect to others, build creative enterprise and learn or enhance skills. Insights gained from this study indicate some of the detailed ways in which the application of technology redefines craft and DIY COPs. Research limitations/implications – This study provides a succinct exploration of a vast and fluid domain; if presented with more time and wider resources, the research would include further exploration of virtual COPs. Originality/value – The investigation provides a rich insight into the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) within craft and DIY COPs. The application of theoretical perspectives from the area of Information Systems (IS) and Technology Management to this domain is regarded as an original research and furthers knowledge in these areas. Originality/value – The investigation provides a rich insight into the use of ICTs within craft and DIY COPs. The application of theoretical perspectives from the area of IS to the domain of craft and DIY culture is original research and extends existing concepts to include skills sharing as a previously unexplored domain.

Implementing Web 2.0 tools in organisations

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin James Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Web 2.0 Technologies ◽  
Web 2.0 Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organisational Factors ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This special issue aims to increase the awareness of the organisational factors that enterprises must reflect on and address when introducing Web 2.0 technologies into their organisations. In contrast to empirical studies that review the impact of Web 2.0 technologies in organisations in terms of how they might support knowledge sharing or communities of practice, this special issue intends to identify the salient criteria that management practitioners must address to assist in the implementation of Web 2.0 technologies in the work place. Design/methodology/approach – This special issue aims to increase the awareness of the organisational factors that enterprises must reflect on and address when introducing Web 2.0 technologies into their organisations. In contrast to empirical studies that review the impact of Web 2.0 technologies in organisations in terms of how they might support knowledge sharing or communities of practice, this special issue intends to identify the salient criteria that management practitioners must address to assist in the implementation of Web 2.0 technologies in the work place. Findings – One of the principal findings that have emerged from this special issue is that it indicates the importance of reviewing social and cultural factors in organisations when introducing Web 2.0 technologies in the work place. In addition to assessing technical issues that might impact on the implementation of Web 2.0 technologies in organisations this special issue also explores subject matters such as the dilemma of whether a top-down or a bottom-up approach is more effective towards engaging staff in the adoption of Web 2.0 tools at work. Originality/value – The research presented in this special issue provides an important academic contribution towards an area that is, at present, under researched namely, whether there is a structured approach that can be universally applied by organisations when internally implementing Web 2.0 technologies into their work place.

scholarly journals Identification and Analysis of a Novel Group of Bacteriophages Infecting the Lactic Acid Bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (17) ◽  
pp. 5153-5165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian McDonnell ◽  
Jennifer Mahony ◽  
Horst Neve ◽  
Laurens Hanemaaijer ◽  
Jean-Paul Noben ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Thermophilus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Phage Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Host Interaction ◽  
Adsorption Affinity ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Sequence Relatedness ◽  
Genome Information ◽  
Detrimental Impact

ABSTRACTWe present the complete genome sequences of four members of a novel group of phages infectingStreptococcus thermophilus, designated here as the 987 group. Members of this phage group appear to have resulted from genetic exchange events, as evidenced by their “hybrid” genomic architecture, exhibiting DNA sequence relatedness to the morphogenesis modules of certain P335 groupLactococcus lactisphages and to the replication modules ofS. thermophilusphages. All four identified members of the 987 phage group were shown to elicit adsorption affinity to both their cognateS. thermophilushosts and a particularL. lactisstarter strain. The receptor binding protein of one of these phages (as a representative of this novel group) was defined using an adsorption inhibition assay. The emergence of a novel phage group infectingS. thermophilushighlights the continuous need for phage monitoring and development of new phage control measures.IMPORTANCEPhage predation ofS. thermophilusis an important issue for the dairy industry, where viral contamination can lead to fermentation inefficiency or complete fermentation failure. Genome information and phage-host interaction studies ofS. thermophilusphages, particularly those emerging in the marketplace, are an important part of limiting the detrimental impact of these viruses in the dairy environment.

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