Transactive Memory Systems: Current Issues and Future Research Directions

The comprehensive review synthesizes 64 empirical studies on communication and transactive memory systems (TMS). The results reveal that (a) a TMS forms through communication about expertise; (b) as a TMS develops, communication to allocate information and coordinate retrieval increases, promoting information exchange; and (c) groups update their TMS through communicative learning. However, direct interpersonal communication is not necessary for TMS development or utilization. Nor do high-quality information-sharing processes always occur within developed TMS structures. For future research, we propose a multidimensional network approach to TMS that incorporates technologies, addresses member characteristics, considers multiple communication types, and situates groups in context.

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Dissociations Between Categorization and Recognition in Amnesic and Normal Individuals: An Exemplar-Based Interpretation

Psychological Science ◽

10.1111/1467-9280.00051 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 247-255 ◽

Cited By ~ 129

Author(s):

Robert M. Nosofsky ◽

Safa R. Zaki

Keyword(s):

Memory Systems ◽

Future Research ◽

Exemplar Model ◽

Single System ◽

Research Directions ◽

Multiple Memory Systems ◽

Probabilistic Classification ◽

Normal Individuals ◽

Future Research Directions ◽

Alternative Idea

In recent work, the finding of dissociations between categorization and recognition in amnesic and normal individuals has been taken as evidence of multiple memory systems mediating these tasks. The present research provides support for the alternative idea that these dissociations can be interpreted in terms of a single-system exemplar-memory model that makes allowance for parameter differences across groups. In one experiment, a parameter change in memory sensitivity was induced by testing classification and recognition at varying delays; the results closely matched the ones observed by Knowlton and Squire (1993) for normal and amnesic participants. The exemplar model also yielded good quantitative predictions of the categorization-recognition dissociation. A second analysis demonstrated that dissociations between early versus late probabilistic classification learning and memory sensitivity were also well predicted by the single-system exemplar model. Limitations of the exemplar interpretation and future research directions are also discussed.

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Distributed Cognition in Top Management Teams and Organizational Ambidexterity

Journal of Management ◽

10.1177/0149206314545652 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 919-945 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

Ciaran Heavey ◽

Zeki Simsek

Keyword(s):

Distributed Cognition ◽

Cognitive Structure ◽

Memory Systems ◽

Transactive Memory ◽

Top Management Teams ◽

Management Teams ◽

Future Research ◽

Top Management ◽

Transactive Memory Systems ◽

The Impact

How can a firm develop, distribute, and use knowledge more effectively and efficiently in ways that increase its ability to pursue an ambidextrous orientation? Synthesizing insights from social cognition and upper-echelons perspectives, we offer a new theoretical vantage point that brings the role of top management teams’ cognitive structure to the fore and, in particular, the enabling influence of transactive memory systems. We argue that transactive memory provides a top management team with a system for generating, distributing, and integrating knowledge based on members’ specific areas of expertise in ways that increase its ability to both differentiate and integrate strategic agendas for ambidexterity. From a multisource study of top management teams in a sample of technology-based small-to-medium-sized firms, we find that while top management teams with well-developed transactive memory systems are able to pursue an ambidextrous orientation, the impact of transactive memory is also shaped by diverse organizational experience and functional expertise within these teams. We discuss the scope and significance of these findings for theory, future research, and managerial practice.

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Internet Use, Users, and Cognition: Determination of the Cognitive Relationships Between Internet-Based Technology and Internet Users

10.31234/osf.io/x7vca ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Vishruth Nagam

Keyword(s):

Semantic Memory ◽

Internet Use ◽

Memory Task ◽

Memory Systems ◽

Transactive Memory ◽

Future Research ◽

The Internet ◽

Transactive Memory Systems ◽

Internet Users ◽

Memory Source

This study aims to investigate growing Internet use in relation to cognition. Existing literature suggests human capability to utilize the Internet as an external (transactive) memory source. Formational mechanisms of such transactive memory systems and comparative effects of Internet use on transactive memory and semantic memory are both relatively unknown points of research explored in this study.This study comprises two experimental memory task surveys, confirming and yielding findings in memory research. Semantic memory is negatively affected by notions of information saved online. An adaptive dynamic is also revealed—1) as users often have a vague idea of desired information before searching for it on the Internet, first accessing semantic memory serves as an aid for subsequent transactive memory use and 2) successful initial transactive memory access eliminates the need for subsequently accessing semantic memory for desired information. Internet users form and reinforce transactive memory systems with the Internet by repeatedly defaulting to first accessing semantic memory then transactive memory or to accessing transactive memory only, and decrease reliance on transactive memory systems by repeatedly defaulting to only semantic memory. Users have some degree of control over transactive memory systems they engage in, a phenomenon to be potentially explored in future research directions.

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