Gerardo R. Ungson

The Effect of National Culture, Organizational Complementarity, and Economic Motivation on Joint Venture Dissolution

This study examined the effects of partner nationality, organizational dissimilarity, and economic motivation on the dissolution of joint ventures. Event-history analysis was used to test the hypot...

Managerial Information Processing: A Research Review.

An earlier draft of this paper was presented atthe 20thAnnual Meeting of the Western Academy of Management, Portland, Oregon, in April 1979. The project was supported in part by funds provided by the Division of Research, University of Oregon and by the Office of Naval Research N0014-76-C-0164. In preparing the paper, we benefited from informal meetings with Paul Slovic, Baruch Fischhoff, Randy Hansen, and Stewart Bither. We are grateful to Richard Mowday and Lynda Paule who provided criticisms of earlier drafts. Finally, we acknowledge guidance and comments made by Karl Weick and two anonymous ASQ reviewers.

The Effects of Environmental Uncertainty and Dependence on Organizational Structure and Performance: A Comparative Study

This study investigated the joint effects of perceived environmental uncertainty and dependence on resources on organizational structure and performance. Findings from two diverse settings that are considered in light of historical developments indicate that organic structures are associated with low resource dependence and that performance is not explained by the fit between environment and organization structure, but is significantly related to organic structure.

Decision Making: An Interdisciplinary Inquiry.

Abstract : A conference on decision making held in March 1981, brought together prominent researchers from Behavioral Decision Making, Human Problem Solving, and Organizational Decision Making to compare their theoretical positions, methods, and applications. The conference was organized with the expectation that dialogue between these researchers would be fruitful in clarifying fundamental conceptual questions, research strategies, and assumptions that would eventually lead to integrative or convergent research. The twenty-five papers, to be published in a forth-coming book, highlight the lively and stimulating exchange of ideas. (Author)

The Effects of Regulatory Agencies on Organizations in Wood Products and High Technology/Electronics Industries

This study compares the effects on organizations in two industries of regulatory agencies and other sectors of the task environment. Findings indicate that regulatory agencies differ from other sec...

Redefining the Boundary Spanning-Environment Relationship

A review of previous studies on the relationship between boundary spanning activity and environment indicates that the full effects of environment have not been investigated due to the restricted representation of environmental effects. In addition, we argue that the boundary spanning-environment relationship may be moderated by function, hierarchical level, perceived influence, size, and industry. Accordingly, an enlarged model of the boundary spanning-environment relationship is tested in both the high-technology electronics industry and the wood products industry. Results indicate that boundary spanning activity is related to environment, but this relationship appears to vary along dimensions of environment as well as by industry. In addition, size, perceived influence, and function are found to moderate the boundary spanning-environment relationship. Implications for further studies include a reconceptualization of the boundary spanning-environment relationship based on the findings.

The emerging knowledge-based economy

The continuous developments in communications and information technology have forged stronger links between nations, creating networks between nations, companies, and peoples. Paradoxically, this increases opportunities for both cooperation and conflict. Where once nations fought over trade routes and raw materials, the future will see knowledge as the prize. Battles will be about intellectual property and the right to build and market unique products. The authors discuss the advent of the information age and the transition to a knowledge based economy.

Internal Market Structures Substitutes for Hierarchies

A distinguishing feature of contemporary organizations is the growing number of internal employees providing services to other employees. General Electric, Hewlett Packard, Dell Computer, Cisco, and other firms have enhanced service units and functions within their organizations. Nevertheless, much of what we know about these internal services is inadequate. Moreover, control of these internal services tends to be based erroneously on traditional concepts of hierarchies. Despite the growing importance of internal services, it has been difficult to assess their value or “price.” Without proper consideration of value, goods and services may be offered at less than their appropriate value. This article introduces organizing principles based on internal market structures as an alternative perspective to rethink the impact and control of internal services. The authors also present eight specific propositions that describe the structure, functions, politics, processes, and pricing of internal market structures. Implications are provided for academicians and practicing managers.

Engines of Prosperity:Templates for the Information Age

The world of business is in the throes of a new revolution. It is, paradoxically, both the best and worst of times. Opportunity abounds, but the economic, societal, and technological foundations of the Machine Age are crumbling. Confounded by chaos and heavily pressured for results, most Western managers have no better ideas for how to compete than to endlessly copy each other, cut costs, and buy up rivals. Downsizing is epidemic and decline common.