Paolo Canonico

Control mechanisms and knowledge integration in exploitative project teams: a case study from the coal fired power plant industry

Purpose – This paper aims to deal with knowledge integration in projects, focusing on teams that deal with exploitative nature of knowledge work and implement standard solutions with minor refinements developed over time. In the research the authors seek to analyze how the organizational control mechanisms adopted within project teams that deal with exploitative nature of knowledge work influence knowledge integration outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – The research unfolded considering a single case study, as this approach was considered useful in gaining in‐depth, holistic understanding of the phenomenon studied. The authors started with a preliminary on‐site observation done with the aim of making subsequent interviews simpler and more productive. They therefore conducted semi‐structured interviews with the head of human resources and with two project managers and four members of two project teams.Findings – The results show how in coherence with Grants classification it is possible to argue that i...

The boundaries of a performance management system between learning and control

Purpose – This paper aims to consider how and to what extent it is possible to interpret a performance management system (PMS) as a typical control mechanism or in a more innovative way as a learning tool. PMSs are typically used for planning and coordination purposes. However, they may also be used as an opportunity to foster learning inside the organization. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical analysis was carried out during January-May 2014. A single case study was developed, in the first phase, through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with three top managers, to investigate the purpose and rationale of the design of the PMS. The investigation then continued with non-participant observation. Findings – The picture shows the dominance of “command and control” thinking, based on a cybernetic control system connected to targets and linking the achievement of these targets to individual performance. Practical implications – This paper helps to contextualize reflections on PMSs and p...

The Interpretation of the Project Team between Collectivity of Practice and Community of Practice

In recent years managerial studies have dealt quite extensively with the organizational issues of project teams. In particular the analysis have focused on the interpretation of the social dimensions in such settings. Two different research perspectives have emerged, concerning the relationship between project team and Community of Practice (CoP). One, departing from Wengers theoretical considerations, defines the two concepts clearly by excluding the possibility that the project teams may also be figured out as communities of practice (Wenger, 2000; Lindkvist, 2005). In the second research perspective the contributions made by the Scandinavian School of Project Studies (Bragd, 2003) are included, whereby the possibility is claimed that once having satisfied certain conditions for functioning, the project teams also assume the form of communities of practice. This paper pro-poses an analysis of the possible interpretations of the concept of project team in the light of the theoretical perspectives indicated above.

Shining a Light on the Dark Side of Business:The Resistible Growth of Criminal Firms in the Public Sector

In this paper, we analyze the mechanisms adopted by criminal firms in order to thrive in the business of public works. We submit that resource dependency theory (RDT) can shed light on this area. We find that criminal firms use a variety of techniques to alter the behavior of actors in procurement processes. We claim that the best way to analyze this phenomenon is by integrating the traditional RDT strategies codified in Pfeffer and Salancik (1978) with an understanding of these criminal techniques. We adopt a qualitative research methodology, relying on official judiciary sources in order to develop and validate the concept’s objects of analysis. Our work has been supported by leading Italian magistrates actively engaged in combating the penetration of criminal firms into legal businesses.

Coping with Power of Control: The Role of IS in an Italian Integrated Tariff System

The study explores the role of the Electronic Ticketing Systems in the Integrated Tariff Systems (ITS), focusing on the relationship between technology and control from the perspective of the Critical IS Research. More specifically our work reflects upon the impact of the “smart card technology” on the process of control and power centralization from the perspective of the ITS meta-organizer. It is for this purpose that a case study of UnicoCampania, an Italian ITS, is analyzed and discussed. We show that UnicoCampania’s power to control the transport operators is not only extended through technology, but also becomes more pervasive and more effective. So the electronic ticketing could be considered an artifact which enabled the power relations within the tariff network, establishing itself as the strength of the process that the drive the network. Our chapter provides an empirical example of the application of critical approach to an Italian local transport system, confirming that the two categories analyzed—political and technological—do not denote a specific and separated belonging.

Special issue on organizational mechanisms for effective knowledge creation in projects

Purpose – Knowledge creation is increasingly singled out as an important activity in a wide range of sectors. At the same time, projects are considered to be the loci where much of knowledge creati ...

Governance models in the local transport industry: an empirical research on tariff integration systems

The aim of this research is to analyze governance models for tariff integration systems in the local public transport sector both in Italy and in some regions of Europe. In particular, it aims to study and compare coordination models chosen by the key players, their role (especially that of the political policy-driver) and the degree of decisional centralization/decentralization within the network.For this purpose ten case studies (AMT Barcellona, CRTM Madrid, Formula Torino, Metrebus Lazio, Pegaso Toscana, Sitam Milano, Stib Bruxelles, Stif Parigi Ile-de-france, Stimer Emilia Romagna, UnicoCampania) will be presented and compared in the paper. Data was collected through direct (semi-structured interviews and structured questionnaires) and indirect sources (analysis of internal documents).The analysis brings to light two organizational models for governance: the focal organization and the agency model. Features and implications of these two models will be outlined.Practical implications.The intention of this paper is to provide strategic and operative considerations for designing governance structures for tariff integration systems.

Dealing with knowledge in a product development setting: an empirical analysis in the automotive industry

Abstract The relationship between the management of knowledge and the Japanese concept of obeya is a neglected topic. Previous studies have classified the different tools and methods adopted in Lean Product Development in the light of the Socialisation–Externalisation–Combination–Internalisation (SECI) theoretical framework for knowledge management. Following these studies, the aim of this paper is to understand empirical context how obeya is used to integrate knowledge and how its adoption fits with the SECI model. We investigated this relationship using two obeya experiences in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, within a project that was part of the development of a new longitudinal-engine for Alfa Romeo Giulia.

Criminal Infiltration of the Public Sector

In this paper, the authors depict strategies and tools adopted by criminal organizations and legal firms in order to control the business of public works. They conclude that criminal firms adopt different models to enter and to control the public procurement business. Through an empirical research, based on official documents and interviews with leading Italian magistrates they identify three main techniques that criminal firms use in governing public procurement.

The adoption of knowledge integration mechanisms in an interdisciplinary research project

Purpose This paper aims to study knowledge integration mechanisms in an interdisciplinary research project. It develops the theoretical literature on the concept of knowledge integration, particularly the adoption of different organizational mechanisms. The research helps to explain how to adopt different integration mechanisms in the various steps of a typical university industry research project. Design/methodology/approach This research relies on a case study. The authors used three data collection techniques: internal document analysis, observation/site visits and semi-structured interviews. Documentary analysis was used to understand the organizational structure and to identify knowledge integration issues. Observation and site visits at university research laboratories were used to increase understanding on particular issues. Staff interviewed included managers and academic researchers. Findings Findings are primarily related to a better understanding of choices of knowledge integration mechanisms in a university industry research project. A crucial aspect was the level of mutual understanding of specialist knowledge. When project members were derived from different sides of the university-industry border, there was a major need for recurring to more structured knowledge integration mechanisms, even if the scientific background of participants was homogeneous. Originality/value Previous studies on the relationships between university and industry deals with the issue of governing the knowledge exchange on the border at a macro level; conversely, an interesting research gap is represented by knowledge integration mechanisms to be deployed on the university-industry border, especially at micro level. In this paper, the authors do not cope explicitly with university-industry coordination mechanisms but use the University-Industry border to study knowledge integration in interdisciplinary setting. The study is exploratory, which may be useful in generating future research hypotheses, connecting the features of research projects with the need to achieve knowledge integration.