Jonathon Mote

The laws of the markets

1. On the Role of Accounting in the Structuring of Economic Behaviours: Peter Miller (The London School of Economics and Political Science). 2. Title not yet available: Michel Callon: (Ecole Nationale Superieure des Mines, Paris). 3. Does the State make the Market or the Market, the State? The Cosmologies of Railroad Kings in the United States and France: Frank Dobbin (Princeton University, USA). 4. The Proliferation of Social Currencies: V. Zelizer (Princeton University, USA). 5. Markets as Institutions: An Ethnographic Approach: Mitchel Abolafia (State University of New York). 6. The Contribution of Social Sciences to the Construction of Markets: The Case of Marketing: Frank Cochoy (Uiversiti de Toulouse). 7. Karl Polanyi Revisited: On the Great Transformation: Bruno Latour (Ecole des mines de Paris). 8. On the Constructions of Boundaries between the State and the Market: John Law (Keele University, UK). 9. The Politics of Industrial Policy and the Non--Market Governance Structure: The Case of Japan: Bai Gao (Duke University, USA). 10. How Economists Contribute to the Construction of Markets: The Case of the Cement Industry: Hervi Dumez and A. Jeunemaitre (Ecole Polytechnique, Paris). 11. Shifting Boundaries and Social Construction in the Early Electricity Industry 1876--1910: Mark Granovetter (Stanford University, USA). 12. Recombinant Property in Eastern European Capitalism: David Stark (Cornell University, USA). Index

New directions in the use of network analysis in research and product development evaluation

In recent years, the use of social network analysis (SNA) has received increased attention in R&D evaluation. While SNA provides insights into communication and knowledge flows, its efficacy in evaluation methodology remains unclear. As Rogers et al (2001) discuss, the applicability of SNA in the evaluation of R&D is marked by several shortcomings, such as the weakness of understanding the content of ties and the inability to identify a generalizable concept of network effectiveness. This paper explores these issues through a discussion of two recent studies of social networks in R&D and concludes with an assessment of the results of these studies using the challenges outlined by Rogers et al. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Measuring radical innovation in real time

As Leifer et al. have argued, the management of radical innovation projects necessitates different strategies and practices, including different ways of measuring performance. This paper discusses our efforts to explore indicators of progress for radical innovation in basic and applied research and technology development at both the project and programme levels. The paper provides examples of our work with scientific research projects in two research organisations to develop real-time indicators of the research progress. Finally, it is argued that the continued development of similar indicators can play an important role in managing research to achieve radical innovation.

Minding the gaps: new insights into R&D management and operational transitions of NOAA satellite products

The NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR), formerly ORA, Office of Research and Applications, consists of three research and applications divisions that encompass satellite meteorology, oceanography, climatology, and cooperative research with academic institutions. With such a wide background of talent, and a charter to develop operational algorithms and applications, STAR scientists develop satellite-derived land, ice, ocean, and atmospheric environmental data products in support of all of NOAA’s mission goals. In addition, in close association with the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation, STAR scientists actively work with the numerical modeling communities of NOAA, NASA, and DOD to support the development of new methods for assimilation of satellite data. In this new era of observations from many new satellite instruments, STAR aims to effectively integrate these data into multi-platform data products for utilization by the forecast and applications communities. Much of our work is conducted in close partnerships with other agencies, academic institutes, and industry. In order to support the nearly 400 current satellite-derived products for various users on a routine basis from our sister operations office, and to evolve to future systems requires an ongoing strategic planning approach that maps research and development activities from NOAA goals to user requirements. Since R&D accomplishments are not necessarily amenable to precise schedules, appropriate motivators and measures of scientific progress must be developed to assure that the product development cycle remains aligned with the other engineering segments of a satellite program. This article presents the status and results of this comprehensive effort to chart a course from the present set of operational satellites to the future.

Good Jobs in Public Research Organizations: Job Characteristics and Rewards of Research Work

Following recent work that has focused on distinctions between good and bad jobs in the labor force, this paper examines determinants of job satisfaction among STEM workers. We propose that STEM workers represent a previously unconsidered type of logic in employment, sharing some (e.g., relatively high pay and job security) but not all (e.g., high levels of job autonomy) characteristics of other good jobs. We developed and administered to STEM workers in a public research center a research environment survey which replicated many of the items assessed in Kalleberg’s (2011) analysis of distinctions between good and bad jobs while also adding new items. Results show that as with workers in the general labor force, authority to make decisions, freedom to pursue new ideas, and promotional opportunities are important determinants of job satisfaction among the STEM workers we studied. Combining various indicators shows that intrinsic rewards emerge as particularly important in affecting satisfaction of STEM wor...

Transformational Organizations and a Burst of Scientific Breakthroughs: The Institut Pasteur and Biomedicine, 1889–1919

We use a historical case study of the Institut Pasteur to articulate the concept of the transformational organization in science, an organization with the capacity to make a large number of scientific breakthroughs in a short period of time. In considering the potential characteristics that explain a burst of scientific innovations, we attempt to move beyond the standard arguments in the management and organizational sociology literature that typically focus on complex research teams with cross-fertilization of ideas. Rather, we discuss the organizational characteristics that facilitate the development of these types of mechanisms. In doing so we address the dilemma faced by organizations seeking to assemble complex teams, that is, increasing cognitive distance. To illustrate the concept of a transformational organization, we explore the formative years of the Institut Pasteur, 1889–1919.

The Spatial Construction of OrganizationThe Spatial Construction of Organization, by HernesTor. Amsterdam, NDL; Philadelphia. PA: John Benjamins, 2004. 165 pp.

plish internal organizational change and encourage workers to participate in novel ways. Lopez found that the union instituted a series of temporary solutions to these problems, which ultimately led to significant organizational change. Still, union victories like these will not add up to changing the fortunes of the labor movement as a whole unless unions can protect and defend their prior victories. Over the last few decades, employers have become more hostile; the number of unfair labor practice charges has risen dramatically. The final part of the book demonstrates how the hostile legal environment (which allows employers to commit unfair labor practices while receiving inconsequential penalties) can be turned on its head to favor unions. Lopez documents the SEIU’s strategy of provoking its adversary into committing unfair labor practices that resulted in workers’ protection against being replaced during a strike. By setting the stage for a “protected” strike, the union was able to shift the balance of power to its favor. Although the SEIU is not the first union to use this strategy, and Lopez is not the first to document it (he cites Juravich and Bronfenbrenner’s study of the USWA/Ravenswood case), Lopez is able to identify an important observation about its usage: The adoption of this tactic demonstrates how the SEIU creatively overcame an important obstacle to establishing (or, in this case reestablishing) a union contract. In studying Pittsburgh, where the relatively conservative USWA was dominant, Lopez found a strong business union legacy to be overcome. Although he assumes that business unionism is the only legacy that remains from earlier union efforts, early CIO unionism offered many different models, including some very radical social movement-like versions. Although most of these unions were defeated in the heat of the McCarthy struggles, many radical union locals remained in the electrical, West Coast longshore, and certain types of mining industries, and others merged with more business-style unions or later experienced “democratization” movements. New organizing in areas with these more progressive historical models may not experience the same set of obstacles associated with business unionism: Workers may view unionism differently and union structures may be more conducive to member participation. This does not in any way contradict what Lopez argues about his case, yet it may limit its generalizability to other settings. Reorganizing the Rust Belt is an impressive ethnography and a must-read for those seeking to understand what is going on within progressive unions. It offers a good dose of hope to those who would like to see a resurrection of the labor movement, and at the same time, it warns against unrealistic optimism.