A New Theoretical Framework of Organizational Effectiveness from Knowledge and Ambidexterity Perspectives

This paper aims to build a new theoretical framework related to organizational effectiveness. There is unfortunately no research which builds a theoretical framework of organizational effectiveness influenced by knowledge of infrastructure capability, organizational environment, absorptive capacity and innovative ambidexterity. The theoretical framework is built from the past research of the organizational effectiveness antecedents using literature review. The theoretical framework in this concept paper consists of nine hypotheses with three novelties: the direct relationship among knowledge infrastructure capability; absorptive capacity; and organizational environment to innovative ambidexterity. This conceptual paper only applies structural contingency theory, knowledge-based theory and absorptive capacity theory in constructing relationships among concepts. It is hoped that this newly constructed theoretical framework can enrich the theory of modern organization as stated by Miles (2012) and by Hatch, MJ, & Cunliffe (2013) which can develop structural contingency theory (Donaldson, 1996) (Donaldson, 2001) through the concept of organizational effectiveness (Kim S. Cameron, 1981). It is also influenced by knowledge of infrastructure capability (Gold, Malhotra and Segars, 2001), organizational environment (Donaldson, 2001), absorptive capacity (Cohen and Levinthal, 1990) and organizational ambidexterity (Tushman and O'Reilly, 1996) (Kortmann, 2011). This theoretical framework can be applied as a basis for empirical research. Keywords: knowledge infrastructure capability; organizational environment; absorptive capacity; innovative ambidexterity; organizational effectiveness.

To Adopt or Not to Adopt: Contextualizing Police Body-Worn Cameras Through Structural Contingency and Institutional Theoretical Perspectives

There has been an increase in the adoption of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by law enforcement agencies in the United States and abroad. While several studies have showed promising results in officer satisfaction, community satisfaction, and other outcomes, the rationale for the adoption and diffusion of this technology has received little attention.This article suggests that agency adoption of BWCs can be understood through two competing theoretical frameworks: structural contingency theory and institutional theory. Intended as a research note, the paper sets up a number of testable propositions and hypotheses pertaining to BWCs as contextualized through these theories and measurable through the recent Law Enforcement Management Administrative Statistics-Body-Worn Camera Supplement.

Environmental Predictors of Municipal Police Agency Goals

Applications of organizational theory to police organizations frequently employ the framework of structural contingency or institutional theories. The current study seeks to evaluate the impact of both technical and institutional environmental aspects of policing on the goals of municipal police agencies. The influence of a combination of environmental contingencies and chiefs’ ratings of institutional sectors is explored to assess which theory better explains chiefs’ emphasis on police agency goals. Relying on ordinary least squares regression models, the impact of two competing theoretical frameworks is assessed. Findings suggest that chiefs’ demographics (control variables) and legitimacy (institutional) factors have a greater impact than technical (structural contingency theory) elements on the goals that chiefs emphasize within their agencies. Potential theoretical advancement employing public sector agencies is also presented.

Influence of Human Behavior on Success of Complex Public Infrastructural Megaprojects in Kenya

The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of human behavior on the success of public infrastructural megaprojects in Kenya. The need for this study arose from the thesis that complexity due to human behavior is the main cause of waste and failure that results in infrastructural megaprojects being delivered over budget, behind schedule, with benefit shortfalls, over and over again. The study was designed as multiple-method research, based on virtual constructionist ontology recognizing that complexity is the mid-point between order and disorder. A cross-sectional census survey of 27 completed public infrastructural megaprojects was conducted using two interlinked questionnaires assessing human behavior constructs and project success. A total of 108 respondents made up of project managers, team members and organizational sponsors, participated in this study. Using both descriptive and inferential analysis, the results of this study have confirmed that human behavior significantly influences success of public infrastructural megaprojects. Optimism bias remains the main individual behavior that leads to cost and schedule underperformance in infrastructural megaprojects but loss aversion is the most occurring cognitive bias. In light of this finding, the study recommends that implementing organizations adopt structures that allow for continued business justification, focus on products and give project managers sufficient authority over project resources in line with the postulations of the structural contingency theory.

Supply network design in the residential-FM sector

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine supply network designs that large service organisations use in the residential-FM sector to respond to the organising requirements of their operating environments. Design/methodology/approach – The study is theoretically grounded in the well-established literature on the organisational design and structural contingency theory. Utilising a framework of generic organising problems proposed by Miles and Snow (1978) and a multiple-case study design, the study elaborates how large service organisations organise and manage their supply networks in the Finnish residential-FM sector. Findings – The study identifies four supply network designs that organisations use for responding to the organising problems inherent in the property and resident services domains in the residential-FM sector. These include regional production organisation, horizontal decentralisation, environment stabilisation and demand – supply pooling, reflecting the type of the service-market domain and the organisation’s service strategy. Originality/value – The study contributes to the facilities management literature by expanding the field of inquiry from the commercial real estate sector into the emerging field of professional residential facility services. In particular, the study adds to the discussion on supply strategies and design, offering a service provider perspective to the organisation of service supply in housing.