| 1. |
- Al-Mashhadi, Ammar Nadhom Farman, et al.
(author)
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Changes in arterial pressure and markers of nitric oxide homeostasis and oxidative stress following surgical correction of hydronephrosis in children
- 2018
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In: Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, West). - : Springer. - 0931-041X .- 1432-198X. ; 33:4, s. 639-649
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective Recent clinical studies have suggested an increased risk of elevated arterial pressure in patients with hydronephrosis. Animals with experimentally induced hydronephrosis develop hypertension, which is correlated to the degree of obstruction and increased oxidative stress. In this prospective study we investigated changes in arterial pressure, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis following correction of hydronephrosis.Methods Ambulatory arterial pressure (24 h) was monitored in pediatric patients with hydronephrosis (n = 15) before and after surgical correction, and the measurements were compared with arterial pressure measurements in two control groups, i.e. healthy controls (n = 8) and operated controls (n = 8). Markers of oxidative stress and NO homeostasis were analyzed in matched urine and plasma samples.Results The preoperative mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in hydronephrotic patients [83 mmHg; 95% confidence interval (CI) 80–88 mmHg] than in healthy controls (74 mmHg; 95% CI 68–80 mmHg; p < 0.05), and surgical correction of ureteral obstruction reduced arterial pressure (76 mmHg; 95% CI 74–79 mmHg; p < 0.05). Markers of oxidative stress (i.e., 11- dehydroTXB2, PGF2α, 8-iso-PGF2α, 8,12-iso-iPF2α-VI) were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in patients with hydronephrosis compared with both control groups, and these were reduced following surgery (p < 0.05). Interestingly, there was a trend for increased NO synthase activity and signaling in hydronephrosis, which may indicate compensatory mechanism(s).Conclusion This study demonstrates increased arterial pressure and oxidative stress in children with hydronephrosis compared with healthy controls, which can be restored to normal levels by surgical correction of the obstruction. Once reference data on ambulatory blood pressure in this young age group become available, we hope cut-off values can be defined for deciding whether or not to correct hydronephrosis surgically.Keywords Blood pressure . Hydronephrosis . Hypertension . Nitric oxide . Oxidative stress . Ureteral obstruction
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Bengtsson, Maria, 1959-, et al.
(author)
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Ledarskap och strategisk förändring
- 2009
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In: Ledarskapsboken. - Malmö : Liber AB. - 9789147088751 ; , s. 123-157
-
Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 4. |
- Biedenbach, Thomas, 1976-
(author)
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Capabilities for frequent innovation : Managing the early project phases in the pharmaceutical R&D process
- 2011
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Despite their recognized significance for project success and innovation, the management of the early project phases is still an under-researched area in project management. For organizations to secure a continuous stream of innovation, the utilization of capabilities is crucial for managing the early phases of R&D projects. The purpose of this dissertation is to advance the understanding of the management of the early project phases in hypercompetitive environments. The thesis addresses the research question of how organizations manage the early project phases of R&D in hypercompetitive environments for frequent innovation by taking a dynamic capabilities perspective. The first conceptual study reviews the literature covering organizational change in hypercompetitive environments with a focus on projects as the vehicle to create the necessary flexibility. The study found that organizational aspects and capabilities have to go hand in hand as enabler and facilitator for a successful emergent change process. The second qualitative study investigates how organizations organize the early project phases of R&D in the pharmaceutical industry for an outcome of frequent innovation. The findings show that an optimization of combinative capabilities that balances dynamic, project and multi-project capabilities can be used as a powerful leverage to boost the outcome of frequent innovation. The third study investigates the philosophical stances and related methodologies used within the last 15 years of project management research at the example of IRNOP conferences. The findings show that ontological subjectivism and epistemological interpretivism are dominating. Moreover, case studies and qualitative methods were the most common methods, whereas mixed method studies were lacking despite their value for developing an increasingly complex research field. The final mixed method study explores how absorptive, innovative and adaptive capabilities within the early phases of pharmaceutical R&D affect project and portfolio performance. Based on the results of quantitative study, the set of capabilities has an overall effect on the set of performance outcomes and thus confirms the results of the qualitative study that a distinct capability mix is needed in the pharmaceutical R&D process. To conclude, the dissertation has comprehensively explored the management of the early project phases through four studies and by applying a multitude of methodologies.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Burström, Thommie, 1964-
(author)
-
Organisering av utvecklingsprojekt : praktik, dynamik och gränssnitt
- 2006
-
Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Denna studie fokuserar på att besvara frågan hur gränser organiseras när flera olika organisationer samverkar för att skapa nya teknologiska innovationer. Syftet med denna studie är att ur ett praktikorienterat perspektiv skapa en förståelse för hur intra- och interorganisatoriska gränser organiseras vid tidiga utvecklingsprojekt inom lastbilsindustrin. Särskild vikt läggs vid att genom studien förstå organiserande processer som omfattar utvecklingsprojekts uppstart och genomförande, samt de roller aktörer, aktiviteter och objekt spelar i dessa processer. Studien har en huvudsakligen induktiv ansats där intervjuer och observationer har legat till grund för informationsinsamlingen. I centrum för studien ligger ett utvecklingsprojekt på Volvo lastvagnar i Göteborg. Projektet kallas för SWEP (Smart Wheel End Project) och genomförs i samverkan med en navleverantör, bromsleverantör och däckleverantör. Projektet har som mål att skapa en bättre trafiksäkerhet med stöd av bland annat bättre bromsförmåga på tunga lastbilar. Studien belyser den interorganisatoriska utvecklingsprocessen från den tid då aktörerna fått en idé om att skapa SWEP till dess att de nått ett slutskede av kontraktsskrivningen. De teorier som ligger till grund för analysen utgår från ett praktikorienterat perspektiv där gränser, aktörer, aktiviteter, objekt samt legitimitet tillsammans möjliggör en analys av organisering av interorganisatoriska utvecklingsprojekt. Resultatet visar på att organisering av interorganisatoriska utvecklingsprojekt sker genom vad som i denna studie benämns gränsiterativ organisering. Gränsiterativ organisering förklaras genom processer, gränssnitt och överlappande praktiker. Processerna beskrivs som: gränsutmanande, gränsförtydligande och gränskomprimerande. Processerna har i början av ett utvecklingsprojekt en sekventiell karaktär men de övergår tidigt till att löpa parallellt. Processernas innehåll förklaras i sin tur genom fem aspekter: fokus, aktivitetsnät, aktörsdynamik, objekt och legitimitet. Fokus i de olika processerna varierar mellan visualisering (påvisa möjlig produktutveckling för andra), formalisering (legitimera projektet inom större del av organisationen) och konkretisering (uppfylla givna löften och hålla samman projektet). Aktivitetsnätet består i sin tur av olika typer av aktiviteter, svarta (lagliga organiserande aktiviteter som sker utan organisationens kännedom,), grå (organisationen känner till att aktiviteterna genomförs men inte hur eller med vem), vita (formella synliggjorda aktiviteter). Aktivitetsnätet hjälper oss att förstå hur aktiviteterna hänger samman och ger därför insikt i ett större sammanhang. Aktörsdynamik innebär att aktörer har olika roller vid olika tillfällen som till exempel marknadsförare när de söker idéer till ny produktutveckling, därefter som förhandlare för att slutligen agera som cadministratörer när ledarskap, CAD och relationer skall integreras i ett nytt utvecklingsprojekt. Objekt kan delas in i teknologiska och administrativa objekt. Teknologiska objekt hjälper aktörerna att utveckla kunskaper om tekniskt konstruktion, medan administrativa objekt stödjer aktörerna i utvecklingen av relationer och processer mellan och inom organisationer. I utvecklingsprocessens uppstartsfas har objekten en roll som idébärare, därefter som symboler för samverkan och slutligen har de en roll som sammanbindande länkar vilka förtätar gränserna mellan samverkande organisationer. Vidare förtydligas gränsiterativ organisering genom att de tre gränsorganiserande processernas olika aspekter påverkas av en bas som utgår från fyra olika typer av gränssnitt (mentala, sociala, fysiska, virtuella) som berör både intra- och interorganisatorisk organisering. Slutligen sker gränsiterativ organisering genom överlappande praktiker där experter från olika yrkesområden möts och kompletterar varandras kunskaper i olika praktiska situationer.
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| 7. |
- Burström, Thommie, 1964-
(author)
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Organizing boundaries in early phases of product development : The case of an interorganizational vehicle platform project setting
- 2010
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This dissertation concerns the development of a new interorganizational vehicle platform in the truck industry. The studied project setting was large, and can be referred to as a mega project. I ask the question How are boundaries organized in an interorganizational vehicle platform project setting, and how can we understand the tensions which arise when such organizing is performed? I assume that tensions arise in relation to questions concerning novelty, interdependencies, and differences. Tensions should therefore not be seen as something bad, tensions are rather a prerequisite for achieving change. The overall aim is to create insights in how boundaries in an interorganizational platform project setting are organized between: projects and governing actors, projects and permanent organizations, projects and external organizations, projects and projects, and finally inside projects (between different functions). A secondary aim is to understand the roles which actors, activities and objects play, and the tensions which are experienced, when boundaries are being challenged and organized. The study was performed during the concept phase, and a practice approach was used in order to capture the inner life of projects. A project setting with three projects was studied for three months, where I performed 68 interviews and observed 32 meetings. I have used a mix of narrative and alternate templates strategies and induced themes which constitute the base for the analysis. I assume that boundaries are socially constructed and I argue that traditional normative findings in project management studies should be complemented with findings from organizational theory, and therefore use a multidisciplinary theoretical base. I have combined theories relating to; boundary construction, projects, boundary actors, activities, objects, and coordination/integration. My analysis consists of two parts, in the first part I analyze value-, mandate-, and structural tensions and finds that actors in the setting; organize a commonality balancing area where decisions are affected by a mandates filter and need to be understood in relation to a coopetitive tensions model. In the second part of the analysis I have found that actors in the setting balance tensions and organize boundaries by performing four major Quality improvement loops based on a fragmented value base where boundary activities should be seen as having three dimensions; administrative, sharing, and political. The creation of the shared platform is simultaneously affected by strategic, operational, and functional efforts. This fact in combination with the size and uniqueness of the project setting, leads to the insight that technological innovation must be accompanied by organizational innovation. Therefore I have suggested that organizing of boundaries in interorganizational vehicle project settings should be understood as being performed through Concurrent Boundary Enactment.
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| 8. |
- Carlström, Mattias, 1978-
(author)
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Development of Salt-Sensitive Hypertension in Hydronephrosis
- 2008
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Hydronephrosis, due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction, is a common condition in infants with an incidence of approximately 0.5-1%. During the last decade, the surgical management of non-symptomatic hydronephrosis has become more conservative, and the long-term physiological consequences of this new policy are unclear. The overall aim of this thesis was to determine whether there is a link between hydronephrosis and the development of hypertension. Hydronephrosis was induced by partial ureteral obstruction in 3-week old rats or mice. In the adult animals, blood pressure was measured telemetrically during different sodium conditions and the renal function was evaluated. Both species developed salt-sensitive hypertension and histopathological changes (i.e. fibrosis, inflammation, glomerular and tubular changes) that correlated with the degree of hydronephrosis. An abnormal renal excretion pattern with increased diuresis and impaired urine concentrating ability was observed in hydronephrosis. The mechanisms were primarily located to the diseased kidney, as relief of the obstruction attenuated blood pressure and salt-sensitivity. Increased renin angiotensin system activity, due to ureteral obstruction, might be involved in the development but not necessary the maintenance of hypertension. Hydronephrotic animals displayed reduced nitric oxide availability, which might be due to increased oxidative stress in the diseased kidney. Renal nitric oxide deficiency and subsequent resetting of the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism, appeared to have an important role in the development of hypertension. In conclusion, experimental hydronephrosis, induced by partial ureteral obstruction, provides a new model for studies of salt-sensitive hypertension. Furthermore, the new findings imply that the current conservative treatment strategy in hydronephrosis should be reconsidered in favour of treatment that is more active, in order to prevent the development of renal injury and hypertension in later life.
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| 9. |
- Carlström, Mattias, et al.
(author)
-
Hydronephrosis causes salt-sensitive hypertension and impaired renal concentrating ability in mice
- 2007
-
In: Acta Physiologica. - : Wiley. - 1748-1708 .- 1748-1716. ; 189:3, s. 293-301
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: Hypertension is a common disease in the industrialized world and approximately 5% of all cases are secondary to kidney malfunction. We have recently shown that hydronephrosis due to partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) causes salt-sensitive hypertension in rats. The mechanisms are still unclear, but appear to be intrarenal and primarily located to the diseased kidney. In the present study, we have developed a model for PUUO to study if hydronephrotic mice develop salt-sensitive hypertension. Methods: PUUO was created in 3-week-old mice (C57bl/6J). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured telemetrically in adult animals on normal and high salt diets. Metabolism cages were used to study the renal excretion of electrolytes and water. Plasma samples for renin analysis were collected and renal histological changes were evaluated. Results: All hydronephrotic animals developed salt-sensitive hypertension that correlated to the degree of hydronephrosis. In hydronephrotic animals, blood pressure increased from 114 ± 1 mmHg on normal salt diet to 120 ± 2 mmHg on high salt diet, compared with 103 ± 1 to 104 ± 1 in controls. Hydronephrotic animals showed increased diuresis and reduced ability to regulate electrolyte concentration. No differences in plasma renin concentration were found between the groups. The parenchymal weight and glomerular area of contralateral kidneys were significantly increased in the hydronephrotic animals. Histopathology of the hydronephrotic kidneys displayed areas with fibrosis, inflammation and glomerular changes. Conclusion: This study provides a model for PUUO in mice and demonstrates the presence of salt-sensitive hypertension and an impaired renal concentrating ability in mice which has not been described before.
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| 10. |
- Carlström, Mattias, et al.
(author)
-
Hydronephrosis causes salt-sensitive hypertension in rats
- 2006
-
In: Journal of Hypertension. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0263-6352 .- 1473-5598. ; 24:7, s. 1437-1443
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a common disease in the Western world and approximately 5% of all cases are secondary to kidney malfunction. It is not clear whether unilateral hydronephrosis due to partial obstruction affects blood pressure. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether hypertension develops and to investigate the effects of different salt diets on the blood pressure in hydronephrotic animals. METHODS: Unilateral partial ureteral obstruction was created in 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. A telemetric device was implanted 4-6 weeks later and blood pressure was measured on normal, low- and high-salt diets. Plasma samples were collected on all diets for renin analysis. RESULTS: All hydronephrotic animals developed hypertension that correlated to the degree of hydronephrosis. The blood pressure increased slowly with time and was salt sensitive. In severe hydronephrosis, blood pressure increased from 118 ± 5 mmHg on low salt to 140 ± 6 mmHg on high salt intake, compared to control levels of 82 ± 2 and 84 ± 2 mmHg, respectively. Plasma renin concentration was increased in the hydronephrotic group of animals compared to controls on all diets, but the difference was only significant on a normal salt diet, 165 ± 15 versus 86 ± 12 μGU/ml respectively. In animals with severe hydronephrosis the plasma renin levels were lower, and the changes less, than in those with mild and moderate hydronephrosis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the presence of a salt-sensitive hypertension in hydronephrosis. A systemic effect of the renin-angiotensin system alone cannot be responsible for the hypertension.
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| 11. |
- Carlström, Mattias, et al.
(author)
-
Relief of chronic partial ureteral obstruction attenuates salt-sensitive hypertension in rats
- 2007
-
In: Acta Physiologica. - : Wiley. - 1748-1708 .- 1748-1716. ; 189:1, s. 67-75
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: The incidence of hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction is approx. 0.5%. During the last decade, the management of non-symptomatic hydronephrosis has become much more conservative, but the long-term physiological consequences of this policy are not clear. Previously, we have shown that animals with chronic partial unilateral ureteral obstruction develop salt-sensitive hypertension. In this study, the effects of ipsilateral and contralateral nephrectomy and ureterovesicostomy on blood pressure were studied in hydronephrotic animals. Methods: Partial unilateral ureteral obstruction was created in 3-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats and blood pressure was measured telemetrically 4–6 weeks later during a normal and high salt diet before and after uninephrectomy or ureterovesicostomy. Plasma samples for renin assay were collected during both diets before and after ipsilateral nephrectomy. Results: All hydronephrotic animals developed salt-sensitive hypertension, of different degrees. Before nephrectomy the plasma renin concentration was significantly higher in the hydronephrotic animals than in controls (160 ± 15 μGU mL−1 vs. 96 ± 12 μGU mL−1, respectively), but after the ipsilateral nephrectomy no differences were found between the groups. In the hydronephrotic animals both ipsilateral nephrectomy and ureterovesicostomy reduced the blood pressure and salt-sensitivity but the former still differed significantly from the controls. In contralaterally, nephrectomized hydronephrotic animals the salt-sensitive hypertension became more pronounced. Conclusion: Hydronephrosis in rats causes salt-sensitive hypertension that can be markedly reduced by removing the hydronephrotic kidney or relieving the obstruction by ureterovesicostomy. The mechanisms appear to be intrarenal and primarily located in the diseased kidney, but a secondary mechanism is also present.
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| 12. |
- Carlström, Mattias, et al.
(author)
-
Role of nitric oxide deficiency in the development of hypertension in hydronephrotic animals
- 2008
-
In: American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 0363-6127 .- 1522-1466 .- 1931-857X. ; 294:2, s. 362-370
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Hydronephrotic animals develop renal injury and hypertension, which is associated with an abnormal tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). The TGF sensitivity is coupled to nitric oxide (NO) in the macula densa. The involvement of reduced NO availability in the development of hypertension in hydronephrosis was investigated. Hydronephrosis was induced by ureteral obstruction in young rats. Blood pressure and renal excretion were measured in adulthood, under different sodium conditions, and before and after chronic administration of either N-G- nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or L-arginine. Blood samples for ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine analysis were taken and the renal tissue was used for histology and determination of NO synthase (NOS) proteins. TGF characteristics were determined by stop-flow pressure technique before and after administration of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) or L-arginine. Hydronephrotic animals developed salt-sensitive hypertension, which was associated with pressure natriuresis and diuresis. The blood pressure response to L-NAME was attenuated and L-arginine supplementation decreased blood pressure in hydronephrotic animals, but not in the controls. Under control conditions, reactivity and sensitivity of the TGF response were greater in the hydronephrotic group. 7-NI administration increased TGF reactivity and sensitivity in control animals, whereas, in hydronephrotic animals, neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibition had no effect. L-Arginine attenuated TGF response more in hydronephrotic kidneys than in controls. The hydronephrotic animals displayed various degrees of histopathological changes. ADMA and SDMA levels were higher and the renal expressions of nNOS and endothelial NOS proteins were lower in animals with hydronephrosis. Reduced NO availability in the diseased kidney in hydronephrosis, and subsequent resetting of the TGF mechanism, plays an important role in the development of hypertension.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Clegg, Stewart R, et al.
(author)
-
The politics of the Copenhagen UN Climate Change Summit
- 2013
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In: Organizing control and sustainability. - : Editions Humus. - 9789898549488 ; , s. 61-82
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Economic globalization and competitiveness between nations and organizations have stimulated theoretical reflection and reorientation of economic, environmental and social aspects in search of new processes and practices conductive to strengthening sustainability. The reflections produced in this book are contributions to the understanding and action in the fields of politics and management. Together, they highlight the discontinuities and misalignments, the paradoxes, uncertainties and ambiguities of agencies and courses of action-oriented regulation and sustainability.
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| 15. |
- Clegg, Stewart, et al.
(author)
-
The temporal-enduring paradox : the case of Umeå capital of culture 2014
- 2020
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In: Tensions and paradoxes in temporary organizing. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 9781839093494 - 9781839093487 - 9781839093500 ; , s. 37-60
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the long term, all organizations may be temporary. Some, however, are more temporary than others. Temporary organizations are designed not so much with an eye on enduring as on accomplishing a specific task. In this chapter, we explore paradoxes, understood as persistent mutually defining oppositions that occur at the intersection of 'the temporary' and 'the enduring'. To do so, we discuss the concept of memory, which we use to explore the process of preserving and reproducing memories of people and events as a bridge between the temporalities of organizing that is past and was never intended to endure, and those that are ongoing. By reconstructing one case of the European Capital of Culture initiative, we discuss memory as critical to temporary organizations in the sense that temporary organizations always have a memory that affords continuity: hence are enduring. We argue that there is endurance in the temporary and temporariness in endurance: expressing the paradoxical essence of organizing.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Fällström, Karl-Evert, et al.
(author)
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Mechanical and thermal effects in a steel plate impacted by a focused laser pulse
- 1997
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In: Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1058-9759 .- 1477-2671. ; 13:5, s. 293-307
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A short laser pulse from a 1 J ruby laser is focused at a steel plate. The effect will be that the material surface at the impact point becomes very rapidly heated. Metal vapour leaves the surface at a very high velocity. That is, both a mechanical impulse and local thermal energy are transferred to the plate. The mechanical impulse creates propagating bending waves in the plate, which in turn creates transient sound waves in the surrounding air. The heated spot at the plate surface creates thermal stresses in the plate which give rise to an out-of-plane deformation of the plate. This deformation is added up to the propagating bending waves. These effects are studied in experiments using pulsed holographic interferometry.
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| 18. |
- Fällström, Karl-Evert, et al.
(author)
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Transient bending waves in anisotropic plates studied by hologram interferometry
- 1989
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In: Experimental mechanics. - 0014-4851 .- 1741-2765. ; 29:4, s. 409-413
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Propagating bending waves are studied in plates made of glass-fiber reinforced polyester. The waves are generated by the impact of a ballistic pendulum. Hologram interferometry, with a double pulsed ruby laser as light source, is used to record the out of plane motion of the waves. The interferograms have an elliptic-like symmetry for an orthotropic plate, while the wave pattern for a symmetric angle-ply reinforced plate has a symmetry about the axes of reinforcements. Experimental data are compared on one hand to analytical results obtained by assuming that the orthotropic plate can be described as if isotropic along the main axes, and on the other hand to numerical results from calculations using the finite-element method. The effective Young's modulus raised to power 1/4 is shown to be an important parameter for the description of the dispersive wave pattern. A defect in the plate alters the wave pattern in the interferograms significantly. This may have technical use.
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| 19. |
- Fällström, Karl-Evert, et al.
(author)
-
Transient bending waves in plates studied by hologram interferometry
- 1989
-
In: Experimental mechanics. - 0014-4851 .- 1741-2765. ; 29:4, s. 378-387
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Propagating bending waves are studied in plates made of aluminum and wood. The waves are generated by the impact of a ballistic pendulum. Hologram interferometry, with a double pulsed ruby laser as the light source, is used to record the out of plane motion of the waves. Elliptic-like fringes visualize differences in wave speed for different directions in the anisotropic plate and circular ones are obtained for the isotropic plate. The experimental data for the isotropic plate compare favorably with analytical results derived from the Kirchhoff-plate equation with a point impact of finite duration. A similarity variable is found when starting conditions are modeled as a Dirac pulse in space and time, that brings new understanding to the importance of specific parameters for wave propagation in plates. A formal solution is obtained for a point force with an arbitrary time dependence. For times much larger than the contact time, the plate deflection is shown to be identical to that from a Dirac pulse applied at the mean contact time. A method for determining material parameters, and the mean contact time, from the interferograms is hence developed.
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| 20. |
- Gaim, Medhanie, 1983-, et al.
(author)
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Analyzing competing demands in organizations : a systematic comparison
- 2018
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In: Journal of Organization Design. - : Springer. - 2245-408X. ; 7:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Organizational scholars have shown increasing interest in the ways in which managers enact and respond to competing demands and the tensions they prompt as constitutive elements of their organizations. There is now a proliferation of conceptualizations of such competing demands that can be somewhat confusing. We will enhance conceptual clarity by identifying seven constitutive empirical characteristics of competing demands: these consist of the existence of dyadic relations, contradiction, interrelatedness, complementarity, compatibility, simultaneity, and the existence of push-pull forces. We construct a comparative classification of competing demands using these characteristics as our distinguishing features. The result is a more nuanced understanding of how managers approach competing demands that can help scholars to minimize arbitrariness, interpret results, and compare contributions in the area in a much-needed step toward understanding and designing organizations.
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| 21. |
- Gaim, Medhanie, 1983-, et al.
(author)
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In search of a creative space : A conceptual framework of synthesizing paradoxical tensions
- 2016
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Management. - : Elsevier BV. - 0956-5221 .- 1873-3387. ; 32:1, s. 33-44
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We examine paradoxes in organizations and the organizations’ ability to deal with the resulting paradoxical tensions. Paradoxes constitute contradictory yet interrelated organizational demands that exist simultaneously, with the resulting tensions persisting over time. Irrespective of the prevailing evidence that engaging paradoxes leads to peak performance in the short-term, which reinforces long-term success, the question of how this might be done remains perplexing. Thus, based on pragmatic philosophy, this paper aims to increase our understanding of what constitutes a paradox and suggests a conceptual framework from which organizations and their members can frame and cope with tensions that result from paradoxes. Specifically, we conceptually map a way to achieve a synthesis of paradoxical tensions that is informed by design thinking. This synthesis is said to occur when competing demands are simultaneously fulfilled to their full potential. In this paper, design thinking – as a management concept – is used to refer to the interplay between perspective, structure, process, and mindset. It provides an alternative framing of how organizations approach paradoxes and deal with the resulting tensions.
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| 22. |
- Gaim, Medhanie, 1983-, et al.
(author)
-
In search of a creative space : A conceptual framework of synthesizing paradoxes
- 2013
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We examine paradox in innovating organizations and their ability to deal with the ensuing paradoxical tensions. Paradoxes are defined as contradictory yet interrelated organizational elements that exist simultaneously where the resulting tension persists overtime. With the aim of increasing understanding of what constitute paradoxes, this paper provides a conceptual framework from which paradoxical tensions can be approached and managed. Specifically, this paper conceptually maps a way to achieve a synthesis of paradoxical tensions via design thinking. Synthesis is said to occur when competing demands are simultaneously fulfilled and in their full strength. More so, synthesis is construed to constitute two options to choose from, but constructing a third. In this paper, design thinking - as a management concept - is operationalized in terms of the interplay between perspective, structure, process, and mindset and it provides an alternative of how paradoxes in innovating organizations can be approached, and the resulting tensions managed.
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| 23. |
- Gaim, Medhanie, 1983-
(author)
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Paradox As the New Normal : essays on framing, managing and sustaining organizational tensions
- 2017
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Metaphorically, the idiom “you cannot have your cake and eat it too” describes fundamental tensions at the heart of today’s organizations. Engaging tensions may seem implausible or even impossible. However, there exists evidence, given the increasingly complex environment, that both are vital to organizational success. To succeed, therefore, requires that organizations be able to manage, embrace, and transcend tensions. Consequently, the overall purpose of this thesis is to advance our understanding of tensions in general, and in creativity-based contexts in particular.The purpose is achieved through five self-contained yet complementary papers. The conceptual parts, which resulted in three papers, include a literature review on tensions, from which inspirations and ideas from different disciplines have been drawn in order to add value to the literature specifically addressing tensions. In parallel with this conceptual work, I explore tensions (a paradox, to be specific) in a specific context (architecture), an effort that results in two papers. Consequently, in the conceptual work, I focus on what “could be,” while in the empirical work I focus on “what is.”The findings highlight that first, theorizing about tensions calls for conceptual clarity. This was accomplished by identifying and then assembling core features that scholars use to conceptualize tensions. In doing so, the thesis contributes to the ways in which tensions are “represented” by reducing confusion and by making the assumptions behind tensions clear. Second, the thesis establishes that dealing with tensions productively requires a shift from thinking (and doing) based on a contingency approach towards contemporary approaches. Given the nature of the empirical context and the challenges therein, a true shift of this order necessitates framing tensions as paradoxes. In the same vein, the thesis indicates the need to rethink the central question; currently, that question is predominantly “how can we accommodate both A and B?” Given the nature of the empirical context, the question can be shifted to “why not C?” Doing so breaks away from focusing on the existing competing options and turns the focus towards something new. Moreover, dealing with tensions through this lens prevents neutralizing them and settling for a bland halfway point between one extreme and the other. Third, the thesis challenges the taken-for-granted assumption in the literature that dealing with tensions as paradoxes necessitates temporal compromise, separation, or resolution. In the thesis, I argue that dealing with paradoxes is possible without separating. This is so because simultaneously engaging paradoxes allows organizations to tap their energy and opens up new possibilities. In this case, the thesis contributes to the literature by empirically studying architectural firms. This empirical study shows that dealing with paradoxes requires an intricate interplay between what I call paradoxical mindsets and practices—which comprise organization members’ emotions, cognition, and behaviors—and organizational conditions that embed such mindsets and practices into the organization’s system. Fourth, the thesis makes a point that not all tensions require an action move. Accordingly, the thesis establishes that dealing with paradoxes may not necessarily entail action moves but rather a space to engage in dialogue so as to connect opposites, move outside of them, and situate them in a new relationship. In doing so, the presence of tension is appreciated and complementarity is sought. That is, the challenge is to be able to embrace paradoxes and not to resolve them.The thesis concludes that although it is challenging to tap the power of paradoxes, it is not impossible. This thesis shows that this goal can be accomplished by accepting that paradoxes are normal, and then seeking to transcend them. In so doing, organizations can unleash the “slices of genius” in their members.
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- Gaim, Medhanie, 1983-, et al.
(author)
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The role of space for a paradoxical way of thinking and doing : a study of idea work in architectural firms
- 2019
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In: Creativity and Innovation Management. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0963-1690 .- 1467-8691. ; 28:2, s. 265-281
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is well established that engaging paradoxes and the role of space are important aspects of idea work. Although the significance has been recognized, studies that focus on the intersection between space and paradox are scarce. Accordingly, this article explores the intersection and focuses on the role of space in idea work characterized by paradoxes. More specifically, the aim of this article is twofold. First, the article aims at identifying the spatial conditions that enable organization members to think and act paradoxically. Second, the article aims at exploring how spatial conditions evoke a paradoxical way of thinking and doing. Based on three Scandinavian architectural firms, and through abductive inference, four spatial conditions are identified and outlined. The conditions are conceptualized as organized chaos, boundary(less)ness, premeditated spontaneity, and (re)framing. From the results, and through the discussion, the notion of “generative space” is introduced to explain the overall importance of spatiality, as well as how the interrelatedness of the conditions facilitates a paradoxical way of thinking and doing in idea work.
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