This paper discusses the formation of organizational knowledge of boundedly rational Economic agents and studies the necessity of hierarchical coordination of economic agents. We consider a firm that consists of a management and N subordinated shops. The problem of the firm is to observe a signal from the environment, forecast future demands and distribute the correct amount of a good to each of the shops. There are two uncertainties involved: The aggregate demand follows a Brownian motion and the distribution of the aggregate demand to the shops varies stochastically. At the beginning of the simulation the agents are ignorant about their actions. They learn how to choose their actions by probabilistic update. We study the importance of the organizational structure as a function of the uncertainties the agents are facing. It turns out that there is no need for a management iftheenvironment is purely deterministic or if only the aggregate demand varies stochastically. However, if the disaggregate environment is stochastic, the management as a coordinator for the shops becomes important. / Series: Working Papers SFB "Adaptive Information Systems and Modelling in Economics and Management Science"

Tightly-coupled interaction is shared work in which each persons actions immediately and continuously influence the actions of others. Tightly-coupled interaction is a hallmark of expert behaviour in face-to-face activity, but becomes extremely difficult to accomplish in distributed groupware. The main cause of this difficulty is network delay even amounts as small as 100ms that disrupts peoples ability to synchronize their actions with another person. To reduce the effects of delay on tightly-coupled interaction, I introduce a new technique called Feedback-Feedthrough Synchronization (FFS). FFS causes visual feedback from an action to occur at approximately the same time for both the local and the remote person, preventing one person from getting ahead of the other in the coordinated interaction. I tested the effects of FFS on group performance in several delay conditions, and my study showed that FFS substantially improved users performance: accuracy was significantly improved at all levels of delay, and without noticeable increase in perceived effort or frustration. Techniques like FFS that support the requirements of tightly-coupled interaction provide new means for improving the usability of groupware that operates on real-world networks.

Abstract The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has earmarked 27 billion dollars to promote the adoption of Health Information Technologies (HIT) in the US, and to gain access to these funds, providers must document “Meaningful Use” during the care process. While individual HIT use according to lean measures, including meaningful use, is prevalent in the IS literature, few studies have incorporated rich measures to account for the task, the technology, and the user in a team context. This dissertation conceptualizes Team Deep Structure Use of Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) as an IT- enabled coordination mechanism, and Relational Coordination as the inherent ability of clinical teams to coordinate care spontaneously using informal, relationship based mechanisms. IT-enabled and Relational Coordination mechanisms are each evaluated across five maximally different patient conditions to simultaneously examine their impact on our outcome measure, Patient Satisfaction with the clinical care team. The extant literature has established a deep understanding of IT adoption shortly after implementation, yet the literature is silent on the antecedents of IT use according to rich measures well after the shake down phase, a period in which the majority of organizations operate. We incorporate the Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) constructs of Faithfulness of Appropriation, and Consensus on Appropriation as the focal antecedents of Deep Structure Use of the clinical system by team members. To our knowledge, no prior research has linked these two AST constructs to clinical outcomes through the incorporation of a rich use mediator such as Deep Structure Use of a Health IT. To test our model, we relied on survey responses from 555 physicians, nurses and mid-levels which had cared for 261 patients across five patient conditions, ranging from vaginal birth, to organ transplant, as well as pneumonia, knee/hip replacement and cardiovascular surgery. Our results confirm that the Adaptive Structuration constructs of Faithfulness of Appropriation and Consensus on Appropriation, generate positive and statistically significant path coefficients predicting Team Deep Structure Use of CPOE. We also report differential effects on Patient Satisfaction with the care team resulting from technology use. Results range from a significant positive path coefficient (.285) associated with higher Team Deep Structure Use on combined Pneumonia and Organ Transplant teams, to a significant negative path coefficient (-.174) on cardiovascular surgery teams. As expected, Pneumonia, Organ Transplant and Cardiovascular Surgery teams all reported positive effects on Patient Satisfaction with the care team as a result of higher Relational Coordination scores. For teams caring for patient conditions consistently associated with a shorter length of stay, including vaginal birth and knee/hip replacement, higher reported use of IT- enabled, or Relational Coordination mechanisms, did not result in a significant increase in Patient Satisfaction. This dissertation contributes to the growing Health IT literature, and has practical implications for clinicians, hospital administrators and Health IT professionals. This dissertation is the first to operationalize a rich measure of use of an HIT by clinical teams, and to simultaneously measure the impact of IT enabled and Relational Coordination mechanisms on Patient Satisfaction. Secondly, through the introduction of Adaptive Structuration constructs, our model establishes a methodology for predicting rich, nuanced use in teams well after the initial shake down phase associated with recent HIT implementation. Through the juxtaposition of the impact of IT-enabled and Relational Coordination mechanisms across patient conditions, practitioners can design interventions and adjust the level of resources applied to process improvement accordingly.

The use of Web-Based-Collaboration-Systems (WBCS) continues to grow as part of information technology development in the Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) industry. WBCS provide different media channels to support collaboration across geographical distributed teams. However, many companies are still hesitant to integrate WBCS. This research provides an understanding of how WBCS are used in practice. Most distinctively, it obtained practice data from several major US architecture firms and examined about 30,000 transactions produced during actual design and planning projects as practicing architects, engineers and consultants used WBCS. The study investigated what information was used and exchanged among participants during the different design stages. This was related to the different media channels of WBCS. The raw project data has been coded and transformed into secondary data through computer-supported content analysis. Based upon categories from previous literature, such as communication, coordination and design theories, the data has been analyzed for sender, receiver, channel and content of information transmitted. The content has been characterized into work tasks, information handling behavior and design activities. Additional interviews with industry professionals produced information that had not been documented through WBCS and that corroborated the analytical findings. The combination of theory, quantitative, and qualitative analysis has been synthesized into a portrait of WBCS usage that was validated through triangulation. The analysis of digital records of design communication from practice through content analysis is a new research methodology in AEC. The evidence supporting design methods theory shows the changes in tasks and information handling in regards to the project phases. It indicates that the most frequent loops of design activity are Evaluation- Analysis-Synthesis and Evaluation-Synthesis-Evaluation. It documents the actual usage of WBCS based on descriptive statistics and Markov models. WBCS was used primarily as a document repository and calendaring tool. The remote team members used it more frequently than centrally located participants. The study shows the limitations of WBCS: none of the verbal communication was captured. More significant, the entire email exchange took place outside the WBCS. WBCS was used very extensively, if the implementation of the system supported the organizational structure and vice versa.

The implementation of smart contract technology with their plausible applications in a business to business are explored. The thesis work shows how Blockchain technology works on the concept of decentralized system which is beneficial to eliminate the need for central authority. The thesis focuses on elimination of challenges pertaining to the selected departments in an organization. The thesis resolves challenges pertaining to lack of transparency, traceability and significant time-delays while in the process of decision making. The influence of blockchain technology and smart contract technology to eliminate these challenges are discussed. Logic of the smart contract and working of the blockchain pertaining to a specific industrial case study are demonstrated. Methodology to set up a smart contract interface in a business to business setting is investigated in this thesis. An observation study has been done in order to show how transparency, traceability and time delay in decision making is achieved by using smart contract interface. This thesis also shows how the blockchain and smart contract technology tries to implement coordination theory.

Os investimentos em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento têm se constituído como fonte importante de vantagem competitiva, especialmente com o aprofundamento das decorrências da globalização dos mercados. A soma dos investimentos em P&D que os 27 países-membros da Comunidade Européia fizeram em 2007 superou EUR227 bilhões, ao passo que no mesmo ano os EUA investiram US$368 bilhões em P&D. Dados da OCDE e UNESCO apontam para um aumento do investimento global em P&D de US$525 bilhões em 1996 para mais de US$1 trilhão em 2006. Tendo em vista o cenário de franca expansão das funções de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento e do já consolidado movimento de descentralização do P&D em direção às subsidiárias da empresa multinacional, emerge a necessidade de coordenação global de esforços e uso racional dos recursos, de modo a tornar os investimentos e a gestão de P&D mais eficazes. A eficácia à qual se refere está na base da competitividade, na medida em que pode facilitar a flexibilidade da organização para fazer frente à dinâmica do mercado, auxiliar na economia de recursos e maximizar o retorno sobre os investimentos em infraestrutura e capacitação da mão-de-obra. Essa pesquisa se debruça sobre a questão da coordenação dos esforços de P&D em uma empresa multinacional de base tecnológica que tem centros de P&D em diversos países. São tratados temas relativos aos mecanismos de coordenação, sua implementação dada a estratégia de internacionalização de P&D adotada pela empresa, assim como é discutido em que medida as tecnologias de informação e comunicações podem auxiliar a empresa na missão de coordenar e integrar os esforços de todo seu P&D. Por fim, são identificados os aspectos críticos para a coordenação global dos centros de P&D, por meio da discussão sobre seus fatores facilitadores. / Investments in Research and Development have constituted an important source of competitive advantage, especially with the deepening of globalization of markets and its consequences. The sum of investments that the 27 member countries of the European Community did in 2007 exceeded EUR227 billion, while in the same year U.S. had invested $368 billion in R&D. UNESCO and OECD data show an increase in overall investment in R&D from $525 billion in 1996 to more than $1 trillion in 2006. Given the scenario of increasing business impact of Research and Development and the movement towards its decentralization towards the subsidiaries of multinational company, arises the need for global coordination and synergic use of resources in order to make investment and management of R&D more effective. This effectiveness lies on the basis of competitiveness, as it can facilitate the organization\'s flexibility to cope with market dynamics, can help save resources and maximize return on investments in infrastructure and training of the workforce. This research focuses on the issue of global R&D coordination in a multinational company that has geographically dispersed R&D centers. The scope encompasses issues related to coordination mechanisms implementation, the relationship between R&D internationalization and coordination mechanisms, to what extent information technologies and communications can help the company in the mission to coordinate and integrate efforts of all its R&D facilities. Finally, it is identified critical issues for the global R&D coordination, through the discussion of coordination facilitators.

Os investimentos em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento têm se constituído como fonte importante de vantagem competitiva, especialmente com o aprofundamento das decorrências da globalização dos mercados. A soma dos investimentos em P&D que os 27 países-membros da Comunidade Européia fizeram em 2007 superou EUR227 bilhões, ao passo que no mesmo ano os EUA investiram US$368 bilhões em P&D. Dados da OCDE e UNESCO apontam para um aumento do investimento global em P&D de US$525 bilhões em 1996 para mais de US$1 trilhão em 2006. Tendo em vista o cenário de franca expansão das funções de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento e do já consolidado movimento de descentralização do P&D em direção às subsidiárias da empresa multinacional, emerge a necessidade de coordenação global de esforços e uso racional dos recursos, de modo a tornar os investimentos e a gestão de P&D mais eficazes. A eficácia à qual se refere está na base da competitividade, na medida em que pode facilitar a flexibilidade da organização para fazer frente à dinâmica do mercado, auxiliar na economia de recursos e maximizar o retorno sobre os investimentos em infraestrutura e capacitação da mão-de-obra. Essa pesquisa se debruça sobre a questão da coordenação dos esforços de P&D em uma empresa multinacional de base tecnológica que tem centros de P&D em diversos países. São tratados temas relativos aos mecanismos de coordenação, sua implementação dada a estratégia de internacionalização de P&D adotada pela empresa, assim como é discutido em que medida as tecnologias de informação e comunicações podem auxiliar a empresa na missão de coordenar e integrar os esforços de todo seu P&D. Por fim, são identificados os aspectos críticos para a coordenação global dos centros de P&D, por meio da discussão sobre seus fatores facilitadores. / Investments in Research and Development have constituted an important source of competitive advantage, especially with the deepening of globalization of markets and its consequences. The sum of investments that the 27 member countries of the European Community did in 2007 exceeded EUR227 billion, while in the same year U.S. had invested $368 billion in R&D. UNESCO and OECD data show an increase in overall investment in R&D from $525 billion in 1996 to more than $1 trillion in 2006. Given the scenario of increasing business impact of Research and Development and the movement towards its decentralization towards the subsidiaries of multinational company, arises the need for global coordination and synergic use of resources in order to make investment and management of R&D more effective. This effectiveness lies on the basis of competitiveness, as it can facilitate the organization\'s flexibility to cope with market dynamics, can help save resources and maximize return on investments in infrastructure and training of the workforce. This research focuses on the issue of global R&D coordination in a multinational company that has geographically dispersed R&D centers. The scope encompasses issues related to coordination mechanisms implementation, the relationship between R&D internationalization and coordination mechanisms, to what extent information technologies and communications can help the company in the mission to coordinate and integrate efforts of all its R&D facilities. Finally, it is identified critical issues for the global R&D coordination, through the discussion of coordination facilitators.

La qualité de vie au travail est une tendance RH, fréquemment abordée dans des situations incertaines pour faire face au changement. Elle peut être définie comme une multitude de connexions positives qui engendrent de meilleures relations professionnelles et interprofessionnelles. L’action sur le volet qualité de vie au travail permettrait une meilleure relation et coordination entre donneurs d’ordres et sous-traitants et engendrerait ainsi une meilleure performance. Comment les donneurs d’ordres parviennent à faire déployer la qualité de vie au travail chez leurs sous-traitants ? La réponse constitue le fil conducteur de l’exploration empirique. En effet, une étude de cas pilote auprès du groupe Orange permet de faire émerger les difficultés de ce déploiement. Cette thèse propose des solutions dont un modèle inductif basé sur un échange approfondi avec Orange et ses partenaires pour un déploiement facilité favorisant la participation des sous-traitants. Deux autres études de cas complémentaires permettent d’approfondir les attentes des sous-traitants et les objectifs des donneurs d’ordres. Les résultats démontrent qu’à travers la théorie de la coordination relationnelle les donneurs d’ordres pourraient, (au lieu de déployer la qualité de vie au travail), co-construire et associer les sous-traitants à la mise en œuvre des différentes démarches qui permettent l’instauration des relations positives au travail et que les deux partenaires devraient tendre vers le Knowledge Orientation Management. / The quality of work life is an HR trend, frequently discussed in uncertain situations to deal with change. It can be defined as a multitude of positive connections that create better professional and interprofessional relationships. The action on quality of work life allows better relation between contractors and subcontractors which result in better performance. How donors of orders manage to deploy quality of work life among their subcontractors? The answer is the thread of the empirical exploration. Indeed, a pilot case study with the Orange group helps develop the difficulties of deployment. This thesis offers solutions including a theoretical model based on a through exchange with Orange and its partners which present a simplified implementation with the active participation of subcontractors.Two other complementary case studies help to deepen the expectations of subcontractors and objectives of contractors. The results show that through the theory of relational coordination, contractors could ( instead of deploying the quality of work life ), co- build and involve subcontractors in the implementation of the different approaches allowing the establishment of positive relationships at work and that both partners should aim to Orientation Knowledge Management.