The merits of representing scientific theories in formal logic are well-known. Expressing a scientific theory in formal logic explicates the theory as a whole, and the logic provides formal criteria for evaluating the theory, such as soundness and consistency. On the one hand, these criteria correspond to natural questions to be asked about the theory: is the theory contradiction-free? (is the theory logically consistent?) is the theoretical argumentation valid? (can a theorem be soundly derived from the premises?) and other such questions. On the other hand, testing for these criteria amounts to making many specific proof attempts or model searches: respectively, does the theory have a model? can we find a proof of a particular theorem? As a result, testing for these criteria quickly defies manual processing. Fortunately, automated reasoning provides some valuable tools for this endeavor. This paper discusses the use of first-order logic and existing automated rea...

In this paper we contrast the notions of best-practice and configurations contingent on environmental conditions. The analysis draws upon our study of 38 UK and 70 US service firms which includes an assessment of the organization, processes, tools and systems used, and how these factors influence variation in the development and delivery of new services. The best-practice framework is found to be predictive of performance improvement in samples in both the UK and USA, but the model better fits the USA than UK data. We analyze the UK data to identify alternative configurations. Four system configurations are identified: project-based; mass customization; cellular; and organic-technical. Each has a different combination of organization, processes, tools and systems which offer different performance advantages. The results provide an opportunity for updating the typologies of operations and adapting them to include services, and begin to challenge the notion of any universal ‘best practice’ management or organization of new product or service development.

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The Linux kernel development project was among the first attempts that make a deliberate effort to use globally connected software developers as the main source of talent and input to create an important, Open Source software. Based on the Linux project, we have built a model of Open Source knowledge creation to study how thousands of talented volunteers, who are dispersed across organizational and geographical boundaries, collaborate via the Internet to produce a knowledge- intensive product of high quality. Comparing and contrasting the Linux model with the traditional/commercial model of software development, we focus on four issues critical to software development: intellectual property licensing, incentive to contribute, coordination mechanisms, and production process. Recognizing that the applicability of the model may be constrained if business firms do not have the supporting infrastructure and work practices, we propose several areas where the model can be adapted and how the adapted models are useful to business firms. 2 I.

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Diffusion studies are commonly associated with the dissemination of innovations across legally and economically independent organizational units. Suggesting a new perspective on the existing diffusion literature, this thesis argues that diffusion of innovations is a relevant issue to study also on a (formally) micro–level of investigation. Based on this reasoning, this thesis examines how and why a contemporary management accounting tool diffuses within a group of organizations belonging to a common corporate group. The concept in focus is the Balanced Scorecard. A high number of adopters worldwide combined with a shortage of empirically grounded scientific studies dealing with the practical Scorecard application make it a relevant tool to study. Against this background, this thesis also aims to enhance our knowledge on what it means to adopt and to maintain a Balanced Scorecard in practice. To address these aims, this study presents the results of an in-depth case study of a large-sized multinational firm. The empirical data describes a five-year BSC adoption and implementation process in five business divisions; all of them active in the communications business. Diffusion of innovations studies, supplemented by management accounting implementation studies form a first part of the theoretical framework developed. In an effort to create an even richer understanding of the data, a network perspective is additionally applied in a second analytical step. The findings of this thesis indicate that applying theory of diffusion on a micro– level requires using a process-approach of study. Under this pre-condition, the study portrays the intra-firm Balanced Scorecard diffusion as a complex process— unpredictable in its nature and highly dependent on groups of individuals and their interests. The Balanced Scorecard is identified as a management fashion. Confirming experiences made with established management accounting tools, organizational resistance prolongs its implementation process. Parts of this resistance are identified as being related to the Scorecard concept itself, while others appear to be non-specific to the tool examined.

One of the most important issues being addressed in organizations is the integration of systems to ensure the free flow of information from one department to another. The implementation of an integrated system throughout an organization has the potential of affecting the bottom line of the organization. While technology issues will present challenges, these will pale in comparison with the demands of shifting basic business processes and the corporate organization. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems offer a technology standard that value-chain partners can use as a platform for communication and interaction, something that was missing when enterprise software was all homegrown. This study examines organizations ’ innovation decision to build or buy an information system by analyzing the various components of the decision process.

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While early supplier involvement has been adopted in many industries to facilitate product innovation, its impact on new product development performance is mixed. This study examines the dynamic relationship between the manufacturer and supplier using cooperative investment framework, and argues that, due to the nature of the investment, post-contractual holdups can reduce the benefits from the collaboration suggested by the resource-based view, leading to a longer development lead time and a lower probability of a radical innovation. These problems are different from the classical agency problems in that they are not based on asymmetric information between the principle and the agent and/or their different attitudes towards risk, and thus cannot be solved by monitoring or standard contracts. The study offers insights for manufacturers in deciding whether to strategically commit to their suppliers. While the commitment strategy increases the suppliers ’ incentive to collaborate, the noncommitment strategy reduces holdup problems. The manufacturer’s optimal strategy is derived considering two contingent factors. The findings enrich the understanding of supply chain partner collaboration in new product development from a new perspective.

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