Metastructuring for Standards

2022 ◽  
pp. 1272-1295
Author(s):  
Ronny Gey ◽  
Andrea Fried
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Context ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Technology Sector ◽  
Development Organizations ◽  
Automotive Technology ◽  
Global Standards ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Organizational Mechanisms

This chapter focusses on the appearance and implementation of process standards in software development organizations. The authors are interested in the way organizations handle the plurality of process standards. Organizations respond by metastructuring to the increasing demand for standardizing their development processes. Standards metastructuring summarizes all organizational mechanisms for facilitating the ongoing adaption of global standards to the organizational context. Based on an in-depth single case study of a software developing organization in the automotive technology sector, the authors found four areas of metastructuring, four roles for standard mediation, and four types of metastructuring activities. With the case study, they encourage further research that proves standards in use and how organizations respond to the challenges of standardization.

scholarly journals Metastructuring for Standards

2018 ◽  
pp. 252-276
Author(s):  
Ronny Gey ◽  
Andrea Fried
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Context ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Technology Sector ◽  
Development Organizations ◽  
Automotive Technology ◽  
Global Standards ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Organizational Mechanisms

This chapter focusses on the appearance and implementation of process standards in software development organizations. The authors are interested in the way organizations handle the plurality of process standards. Organizations respond by metastructuring to the increasing demand for standardizing their development processes. Standards metastructuring summarizes all organizational mechanisms for facilitating the ongoing adaption of global standards to the organizational context. Based on an in-depth single case study of a software developing organization in the automotive technology sector, the authors found four areas of metastructuring, four roles for standard mediation, and four types of metastructuring activities. With the case study, they encourage further research that proves standards in use and how organizations respond to the challenges of standardization.

scholarly journals “Standard Bibles” and Mediators as a Way of Software Development Organizations to Cope with the Multiplicity and Plurality of Standards

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-77
Author(s):  
Ronny Gey ◽  
Andrea Fried
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Internal Standard ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Development Organizations ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Increasing Demand

This paper focuses on the appearance and implementation of process standards in software development organizations. In particular, it shows interest in the way organizations handle the plurality and multitude of process standards they are faced with in a modern working environment. The process how organizations respond to environmental challenges like the increasing demand for process standards we call metastructuring. Based on the metastructuring approach by Orlikowski et al. (1995) it explores the process of internal standard-use mediation by an in-depth single case study. The case company develops step by step a dedicated institutional entity reacting to standard complexity and customer pressure. As a result, mediators shape extensively the standard use of the employees in the case company. They develop a process library which integrates different standards. This work sheds light on how this metastructuring process is accomplished, which areas of metastructuring regarding process standards can be found and explore different types of metastructuring activities by the involved standard-use mediators.

scholarly journals Influencing elements of technological adoption: Case study about management in an educational institution

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 124-145
Author(s):  
Caroline Oliveira Melo ◽  
Maria Conceição Melo Silva Luft ◽  
Ronalty Oliveira Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Technological Adoption ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Toe Framework

This study sought to analyze, from the point of view of educational managers, and based on the TOE framework, the determinants, boosters, and creators of barriers to the adoption and implementation of information and communication technologies within an educational institution. A qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted, adopting the single case study as the research strategy. The data were collected through interviews, documentary research, and direct observations, later submitted to content analysis. Considering the TOE framework, the results demonstrate that the main determinants of technological adoption are linked to the environmental context; that the boosting elements are arranged in the organizational context; and that the elements that create barriers involve the organizational and environmental contexts.

scholarly journals Application of the Lean-Agile approach in construction: experiences from a case study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira de Almeida Viana ◽  
Arthur Granato Ferreira Campos ◽  
Jeferson de Souza da Silva ◽  
Pedro Henrique Dutra de Abreu Mancini de Azevedo
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Construction Company ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Automotive Technology ◽  
Agile Approach ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
The City

The lean-agile approach has already been adopted by several industries such as automotive, technology, apparel and construction. However, despite several studies pointing to its benefits, in construction the use of this approach still suffers from many cultural resistances. Having in mind that the adoption of the lean-agile approach is something that can benefit construction companies, this article aims to demonstrate the practical application of tools and techniques that encompass this approach. Through a single case study using the participant observation technique in a Construction company located in the city of Campos dos Goytacazes, it has been collected and analyzed data from the application of the lean-agile approach in a set of 15 constructions. Thus, this article intends to contribute to the advancement of studies of the lean-agile approach by sharing the practices applied in this research, so that such practices can serve in the future as an input for the development of a lean-agile project management standardized model in the construction field, something that is still little discussed in the literature.

scholarly journals Barriers to BIM Adoption in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline V. Arrotéia ◽  
Raissa C. Freitas ◽  
Silvio B. Melhado
Keyword(s):  
Research Methodology ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Design Phase ◽  
Construction Company ◽  
Design And Construction

Purpose: The research goal was to investigate the main barriers faced by a large Brazilian construction company in their efforts to thoroughly implement BIM. This study focused on the analysis of understanding the barriers to BIM adoption and the usage of 3/4 dimensions (3D/4D) on the development of an infrastructure project.Research methodology: The research methodology was exploratory and qualitative, carried out through a single-case study approach made upon bibliographical research, company document analysis, project document analysis, interviews, informal conversations, and observations. The research methodology was developed in six months (from June to December 2019) divided into three main phases: phase 1: definition and design; phase 2: preparation and collection; phase 3: data analysis and conclusion. Data collection was developed using a semistructured research protocol with two different semistructured questionnaires: the first questionnaire aimed at collecting data regarding BIM implementation in the company’s organizational context; the second one focused on the understanding of BIM adoption in the project and on the investigation of the main barriers related to the usage of 3D and 4D modeling in the project studied.Findings: Regarding BIM implementation in the company, although the company studied is a construction company in the infrastructure sector, BIM was considered more efficient in the design phase and flawed in the construction phase. Findings have shown that BIM has improved the information management of the design itself and its interface with the construction phase. In relation to the usage of BIM in the project, a more collaborative work environment was noticed due to the effectiveness of communication between the design and construction teams on the job site. With respect to the usage of 3D/4D modeling in the project studied, the difficulties in extracting information from the 3D model have disabled the usage of 4D modeling during the construction phase. Therefore, the difficulties reported were identified as an opportunity to map deficiencies in the BIM model in order to define parameters for the new project proposals and to automate the process of receiving the model and checking for inconsistencies or lack of information.Implications for Research and Practice: The case study is an example that BIM as a technological tool is not able to promote an integrated design and construction interface by itself. It is necessary to integrate BIM as an integrated process with structured management methods and tools. From our perspective, we understand that contracts should change, including construction stakeholders in the very beginning of the design process fostering collaboration across stakeholders such as designers, design and construction managers, suppliers, and subcontractors, thereby achieving a higher level of improvement potentially carried on by the new technologies allied to management practices. With regard to the nature of this article, it is important to make it clear that the results from this study were based on the Brazilian construction industry only.Limitations: The research is a single-case study; therefore, the findings cannot be generalized. Most of the data were dependent on the interviewees’ self-reported perceptions. We suggest new studies should be conducted with other construction companies in the Brazilian context, comparing companies with different organizational structures and sizes and other types of projects.

scholarly journals Batalhando com Espadas e Escudos: uma Análise Semântica do Paradoxo entre Pertencimento e Desempenho em uma Cooperativa

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (99) ◽  
pp. 786-805
Author(s):  
Bruno Felix
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Context ◽  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Organizational Narratives ◽  
Semantic Element ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract This study aimed to understand how the semantic analysis of the process of (re)construction of organizational narratives can help a cooperative to manage paradoxical goals. We performed a single case study based on in-depth interviews with 47 employees, non-participant observations, and document analysis in a Brazilian credit cooperative. Our results showed that individuals may tell stories to influence others’ sensemaking of “what is going on here.” When such stories show semantic fit with the linguistic organizational context, they become able to shape others’ sensemaking. As different and competitive stories can coexist, they can reflect both polarized (e. g., “we are financial-centered” versus “we are social-centered”) and paradoxical self-definitions (“we are financial-and-social-centered”). Thus, the semantic element of organizational narratives not only highlights the dialogical nature of organizations but also their paradoxical nature.

Battling with Swords and Shields: a Semantic Analysis of the Paradox of Belonging and Performing in a Cooperative

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (99) ◽  
pp. 786-805
Author(s):  
Bruno Felix
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Context ◽  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Organizational Narratives ◽  
Semantic Element ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract This study aimed to understand how the semantic analysis of the process of (re)construction of organizational narratives can help a cooperative to manage paradoxical goals. We performed a single case study based on in-depth interviews with 47 employees, non-participant observations, and document analysis in a Brazilian credit cooperative. Our results showed that individuals may tell stories to influence others’ sensemaking of “what is going on here.” When such stories show semantic fit with the linguistic organizational context, they become able to shape others’ sensemaking. As different and competitive stories can coexist, they can reflect both polarized (e. g., “we are financial-centered” versus “we are social-centered”) and paradoxical self-definitions (“we are financial-and-social-centered”). Thus, the semantic element of organizational narratives not only highlights the dialogical nature of organizations but also their paradoxical nature.

Mobilizing resources in product development by organizational interfaces across firms, units and functions

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Sundquist ◽  
Lisa Melander
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
System Integration ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Product Development Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Network ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Product Development Processes

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how various organizational interfaces between firms, units and functions, and the interplay between them, are developed and mobilized in product development processes. Design/methodology/approach The theoretical framework is based on the industrial network approach, including interactive resource development and the concept of organizational interfaces. A single case study is conducted at a world-leading industrial tool manufacturer, illustrating how resources are combined over time, crossing boundaries of firms, units and functions in the development of a hand-held digitalized tool for quality assurance in the production of cars. Data have been collected through semi-structured interviews, with additional data in the form of project reports, internal documents and practices for external collaboration. Findings In addition to inter-organizational interfaces, the study identifies a typology of scouting, embarking and integration interfaces at unit level (geographically spread units of one multinational corporation) and interpretation and reciprocal interfaces at function level. The conclusions show that these interfaces affect the outcome of three aspects of the product development process: product characteristics and functionality features, system integration and organizational network extent. Existing interfaces serve as a platform for developing interaction further and provide the interfaces with new content, thus moving between different types of interfaces. Product development processes also involve new interfaces where there was no previous interaction between the parties. Research limitations/implications This research has implications for the interplay between interfaces in cases involving multiple external and internal actors in resource combining efforts. Practical implications External interactions between firms influence and impact internal activities and resources. Managers need to be aware of the complex interdependencies between external and internal interfaces and resources. Managing organizational interfaces is about both exploiting established interfaces and developing new ones. Consequently, existing interfaces may be activated differently to align with new interaction purposes, which, in turn, requires efforts to combine resources according to the new conditions. Originality/value Previous research contains a typology of organizational interfaces between customers and suppliers. The study expands on this research by identifying internal interfaces between units and functions.

Who Has Potatoes?

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-159
Author(s):  
Keith V. Bletzer
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Turning Points ◽  
Farm Labor ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Migrant Work

Migratory farm labor like other forms of migrant work both in and outside agriculture impedes on the opportunity to make choices. The following essay explores particular phases in the life of one man (a single case study) and examines how he considers turning points in his life that led to a long period of substance use, both as an immigrant in the country and as a working man in his home country, followed by a cessation of use and the beginning stages of recovery. / Para el migrante, viajar en busca de trabajo es díficil, ya sea que trabaje en agricultura o en otras labores. Este ensayo examina ciertas etapas en la vida de un hombre (estudio de un solo caso) que examina los cambios que le han ocurrido durante un período en que él consumía grandes cantidades de alcohol en los estados y en su país, seguido por un período de sobriedad (no tomaba alcohol, no usaba drogas) en este país en que él comienza una etapa de rehabilitación.

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