1.
Taxén, Lars
(författare)
The Activity Modalities: A Priori Categories of Coordination
2015
Ingår i: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Cognitive Neurodynamics - 2013. - Dordrecht : Springer Publishing Company. - 9789401795470 ; , s. 21-29
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat) abstract
A conceptualization of a-priori forms of coordination as activity modalities is proposed. Sensations in various sensory modalities are integrated by our brain into a coherent, actionable percept, structured by the processes of objectivation, contextualization, spatialization, temporalization, stabilization, and transition. This conceptualization promises to bridge neuroscientific and applied research into the coordination problem.
2.
Taxén, Lars, 1944-, et al.
(författare)
Exploring the relation between biomechanical and macrosocial factors : integrationism meets neuroscienceand information systems
2020
Bok (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
Biomechanical factors are evolutionary developed, neurobiological predispositions, which enables an individual to act in the world. Macrosocial factors are macrosocially relevant practices in a social setting like a community. Biomechanical and macrosocial factors are seen as dialectically constituted in action. This kind of thinking is outlined in a theoretical perspective I call the Activity Domain Theory. This volume is a collection of papers, which try to positioned the Activity Domain Theory on the boundary between information systems, neurobiology, and Integrationism – a new development in the theory of communication emerging from the work of a group of linguists at Oxford during the 1980s
3.
Cederling, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
A Project Management Model Based on Shared Understanding
2000
Ingår i: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2000. - : IEEE. - 0769504930
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat) abstract
Traditionally in industrial system development, the total project is decomposed into phases. The result from one phase, normally a document or a system component, is passed to the phase(s) to follow. The deliverables from the "phases" are often prescribed in standards or corporate guidelines. This metaphor, where understanding is packaged into documents, has been a cornerstone for our educational systems as well as for organizing engineering or social development projects. It is assumed that the understanding once achieved by the author(s) of the document will be transferred to its reader(s). In three longitudinal case studies of industrial development projects, a new view has evolved. The analysis team develops a capability to answer questions occurring on the fly, rather than writing down answers to initially stated issues. Our aim is to define a model based upon developing and making available shared understanding. The paper presents a survey of the case studies. In a fourth project an embryo of the new system development model is being applied and evaluated.
4.
Ekinge, Roland, et al.
(författare)
Organizational Knowledge as a Basis for the Management of Development Projects
2000
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat) abstract
This paper presents conclusions from longitudinal case studies on the industrial development of complex systems. The approach is to investigate whether the traditional document based development model can be replaced by on model built upon shared understanding in teams. The need for and use of supporting tools are also discussed
5.
Lilliesköld, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
Coordinating dependencies in global system development projects : the use of dependency diagrams
2004
Ingår i: Engineering Management Conference, 2004. - 0780385195 ; , s. 755-759
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
This work addresses the problems that arise in the coordination of complex system development projects. The empirical setting is based on studies at Ericsson and ABB, and the total project manager's instrument to manage and coordinate these projects. ABB used what they called dependency diagrams. Ericsson developed a method they call the anatomy concept. The approaches are used as a complement to the traditional work breakdown structure. The paper evaluates the ability of these notations to address the needs of the total project management. The studies have shown that it is crucial to create compact high-level pictures of the resulting product and its projects in order to make the dependencies obvious to everyone involved (organizations as well as persons). The paper stresses that when developing complex system solutions the traditional diagrams easily become complex and unreadable. Thus, there is a need for supplementing approaches.
6.
Lilliesköld, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
Knowledge Integration – Balancing Between Anarchy and Despotism
2008
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat) abstract
A central issue in knowledge integration is how to achieve and maintain an optimal trade-off between differentiation and commonalization of knowledge. Too much emphasis on either side aggravates the efficiency of integration. The purpose of this paper is to make an inquiry into the trade-off problem from a particular theoretical perspective called the Activity Domain Theory. Two constructs from this theory are employed: the activity domain and the activity modalities. The activity domain frames the social fabric around actors working towards a common target, and the activity modalities are suggested as main dimensions through which humans coordinate their actions. We will utilize these constructs in analyzing a case study from ABB, a leading supplier of high-voltage equipment all over the world. Our conclusions are two-fold. First, complete commonality enforcement clashes inevitably with activity domain internal ideology. Second, management means such as images, need to be aligned with the activity modalities in order to achieve an optimal balance between anarchy, i.e., no commonality at all, and despotism, i.e., complete commonality. Based on these results, we suggest that the Activity Domain Theory may open up previously untrodden paths for theorizing about knowledge integration
7.
Lilliesköld, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
Managing Complex Development Projects: A Case Study of the Use of the System Anatomy
2005
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat) abstract
This paper investigates the use of a construct called the system anatomy for planning and controlling projects developing complex systems. The anatomy shows, in a compact form, the most crucial dependencies in the system from the perspective of how it ‘comes-to-life’, hence the concept of an ‘anatomy’. The key point in using the anatomy for project planning is to develop and verify the system in the same order as it ‘comes-to-life’. The project plan in made up in three steps. The first step is to define the anatomy itself. This is followed by the grouping of functions into verifiable integration steps called increments. Finally, regular time and resource plans are made for each increment. Thus, the planning can be characterized as an integration driven procedure. This approach has been used extensively at Ericsson, a leading manufacturer of telecommunication systems worldwide. It has proven to be very successful, especially in terms of promoting communication and developing a shared understanding about the project.
8.
Lilliesköld, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
Operationalizing Coordination of Mega-projects - a Workpractice Perspective
2008
Ingår i: Project Perspectives. - : International Project Management Association. - 1455-4186. ; XXIX, s. 40-45
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
In this paper we propose a workpractice perspective towards operationalizing the coordination of mega-projects. This perspective matured over several years in development practice at Ericsson, a major supplier of telecommunication products and services worldwide. Key points in the perspective are the management of critical dependencies and the construction of a communal understanding of how to coordinate projects. Coordination is seen as a workpractice, where actors provide coordination to the project. The main conclusion is that the suggested approach enables the coordination of extraordinarily complex mega-projects.
9.
Taxén, Lars
(författare)
A Neurobiological Perspective on Socio-Technical Systems
2015
Ingår i: Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Socio-Technical Perspective in IS Development (STPIS'15). ; , s. 56-68
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat) abstract
The Socio-Technical Systems approach assumes that an organizational work system can be seen as two independent but tightly correlated systems – a technical one and a social one. Together, these systems determine the performance of the work system. However, in spite of decades of research efforts, it is far from clear how to define these systems. Without a firm basis, analytical and constructive initiatives are bound to become either fragmented or ad-hoc. To this end, the purpose of this paper is to suggest a neurobiological perspective on Socio-Technical Systems. The reason for this seemingly odd point of departure is quite simple: any conceptualization of Socio-Technical Systems must ultimately take stock of the sine qua non of our existence as biological creatures. A fundamental prerequisite for survival is coordination – without coordination, acting in the world is inhibited. Based on many years of coordinating complex system development tasks in industry, I have proposed the construct of activity modalities – objectivation, contextualization, spatialization, temporalization, stabilization, and transition – as intrinsic neural predispositions enabling coordination. This position is elaborated into a particular kind of work system, called the activity domain. In the activity domain, individual lines of actions are fit together using means such as IT artifacts and common identifiers to achieve a common goal. Actions are manifested internally as changed brain structures in individuals, and externally as various artifacts reflecting the modalities. In conclusion, I claim that this approach indicates a paradigm shift, which may provide a solid ground for further inquiries into the analysis and construction of Socio-Technical Systems.
10.
Taxén, Lars
(författare)
A Strategy for Organisational Knowledge Evolution
1999
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat) abstract
In this paper, a strategy for organisational knowledge evolution is presented. Organisational knowledge is defined as knowledge concerning the management of the artefacts provided by the organisation. The strategy is derived from a theoretical, action-oriented representation of knowledge and uses concrete instruments for iterating between reflection and action. The instruments for reflection are conceptual models and information flow diagrams. The instrument for action is an object oriented information management system, where the models are implemented and tried out in practise. By applying these instruments iteratively, organisational knowledge is generated, both as individual and shared knowledge among the actors, as well as objectified knowledge represented by the models and the implemented information management system. We describe how this strategy has been used at the Ericsson telecommunication company to handle the transition to a new software development model. The transition was complicated by the fact that Ericsson has many designers (more than 10 000) working at local design centres all over the world. Our experience shows that the proposed strategy is a powerful way to quickly acquire, deploy and manifest new organisational knowledge
