Human Systems Management

Singer, A.E.

doi: 10.3233/hsm-1995-14101pmid: N/A

Singer, A.E.

doi: 10.3233/HSM-1995-14101pmid: N/A

doi: 10.3233/HSM-1995-14102pmid: N/A

doi: 10.3233/hsm-1995-14102pmid: N/A

Tremblay, Pascal

doi: 10.3233/HSM-1995-14103pmid: N/A

This paper explores the ambiguous role that the notion of organisational capital has played in economic theory. It suggests that because economists have paid little attention to dynamic processes which differentiate between the growth of technological and organisational knowledge, they have been slow at developing theories adequately relating the boundaries of the firm to their ability to innovate. Also, recent contributions by economists have been converging towards representing firms as learning organisations, whose capacity to survive and evolve is both enhanced and limited by the codes they use to interpret their environments. These learning codes allow firms to select competencies and choose their boundaries, the essential role of organisational capital.

Tremblay, Pascal

doi: 10.3233/hsm-1995-14103pmid: N/A

This paper explores the ambiguous role that the notion of organisational capital has played in economic theory. It suggests that because economists have paid little attention to dynamic processes which differentiate between the growth of technological and organisational knowledge, they have been slow at developing theories adequately relating the boundaries of the firm to their ability to innovate. Also, recent contributions by economists have been converging towards representing firms as learning organisations, whose capacity to survive and evolve is both enhanced and limited by the codes they use to interpret their environments. These learning codes allow firms to select competencies and choose their boundaries, the essential role of organisational capital.

Katz, James E.

doi: 10.3233/hsm-1995-14104pmid: N/A

This article analyzes corporate culture transformation programs in the US telecommunications industry. It specifically looks at (1) why a massive investment in corporate culture transformation has been deemed necessary by top management, (2) ways corporate culture change programs have been implemented, and (3) some consequences of these programs for telecommunications workers and companies. The analysis is based primarily on ethnographic observations and interviews with workers and managers involved in corporate culture transformations. It also relies on the relevant literature, and corporate documents. The article concludes by suggesting what these programs portend for the international scene generally and Europe specifically. In addition, it discusses which approaches to corporate cultural change appear effective, and which appear counterproductive.

Katz, James E.

doi: 10.3233/HSM-1995-14104pmid: N/A

This article analyzes corporate culture transformation programs in the US telecommunications industry. It specifically looks at (1) why a massive investment in corporate culture transformation has been deemed necessary by top management, (2) ways corporate culture change programs have been implemented, and (3) some consequences of these programs for telecommunications workers and companies. The analysis is based primarily on ethnographic observations and interviews with workers and managers involved in corporate culture transformations. It also relies on the relevant literature, and corporate documents. The article concludes by suggesting what these programs portend for the international scene generally and Europe specifically. In addition, it discusses which approaches to corporate cultural change appear effective, and which appear counterproductive.

Irwin, Harry ; More, Elizabeth

doi: 10.3233/HSM-1995-14105pmid: N/A

Given the significance of globalised technology for innovation in contemporary and future organisations in the Asia-Pacific region, the role of technology transfer is a central variable in current organisational capital. International technology involves not only the traditional problems of communicating between technocultures (that is, between scientists/engineers and business managers) but also those of intercultural communication (communication between people with different national/cultural identities). This paper explores the interfaces among technocultural and national identities as they relate to the international technology transfer process. Theoretical discussion is supplemented by analysis of the international technology transfer activities involving Australian participation in the aerospace and telecommunications industries.

Irwin, Harry; More, Elizabeth

doi: 10.3233/hsm-1995-14105pmid: N/A

Given the significance of globalised technology for innovation in contemporary and future organisations in the Asia-Pacific region, the role of technology transfer is a central variable in current organisational capital. International technology involves not only the traditional problems of communicating between technocultures (that is, between scientists/engineers and business managers) but also those of intercultural communication (communication between people with different national/cultural identities).This paper explores the interfaces among technocultural and national identities as they relate to the international technology transfer process. Theoretical discussion is supplemented by analysis of the international technology transfer activities involving Australian participation in the aerospace and telecommunications industries.