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Article
Publication date: 22 February 2011

Tuula Heiskanen and Hannu Heiskanen

By comparing two small high‐tech firms specialising in medical technology this article seeks to answer the following questions: What are the key characteristics of innovation…

1199

Abstract

Purpose

By comparing two small high‐tech firms specialising in medical technology this article seeks to answer the following questions: What are the key characteristics of innovation processes in the case firms? How do the mutual relationships between mental, social and physical spaces explain the different pathways in the innovation processes in the firms?

Design/methodology/approach

One case is based on an in‐depth study conducted by the authors. Regarding the other case, a secondary analysis is conducted of a case described in the literature. Both cases apply several data sources. The case firms are comparable in their most crucial aspects (field, main product, geographical location, joint learning space in the start‐up phase).

Findings

The firms have many similar features. The study, however, draws attention to the factors that have made them substantially different as contexts of innovation activities. The differences are interpreted through the concepts of physical, social and mental space. Special attention is paid to the tightness/permeability of boundaries circumscribing spaces and to how this condition supports/inhibits cooperation between different occupational groups in the product planning process. Tightness of boundaries is not unambiguously a good or a bad thing but permeable boundaries are needed when a mix of different knowledge bases is vital.

Research limitations/implications

The focus remains within the firms. Innovation activities extend also beyond the borders of the organisation.

Practical implications

Management should be aware of the productive and counterproductive effects of spaces and the means to influence their shaping.

Originality/value

The study highlights the potential of the concept of space in an empirical comparative setting for studying organisational prerequisites for innovation processes and related learning and cooperation.

Details

Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-5626

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 21 September 2015

Katri Otonkorpi-Lehtoranta, Minna Leinonen, Risto Nikkanen and Tuula Heiskanen

Addressing the challenges expressed by organization researchers and Leslie McCall with her conceptual framework of intercategorical analysis, this paper contributes to the…

336

Abstract

Purpose

Addressing the challenges expressed by organization researchers and Leslie McCall with her conceptual framework of intercategorical analysis, this paper contributes to the methodological debate on intersectionality. The purpose of this paper is to explore intersectionality on the organizational level in the Finnish defence forces (FDF). In the paper, the authors explore how the interactions between categories of gender, age, and position in the organization explain the concerns of employees in the changing military organization. Furthermore, the authors also investigate the types of intersectional mechanisms behind the empirical observations.

Design/methodology/approach

The logistic regression analysis is based on a survey addressed to the whole salaried personnel in the FDF in 2011 (n=8,093, response rate being 54 per cent).

Findings

In line with McCall’s (2005) intercategorical approach, the analysis shows that the plain examination of main effects of the variables will not suffice, but the interaction effects of the variables must also be examined. The analysis indicates that even though women in general experienced more concerns, gender does not alone explain the concerns expressed by the members of the FDF, but age and especially personnel group are significant in understanding configurations of positions in relation to the organizational change process.

Research limitations/implications

The methodological limitation of the study is that although the data were large, it was not possible to conduct three-ways analysis, because of the size of some groups.

Originality/value

The study offers a noteworthy addition to the rare research of practising intersectionality in the conceptual framework using quantitative methods.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 34 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 October 2004

Tuula Heiskanen

The understanding of expert knowledge as shared, distributed and contextualised has gained ground. The case description in this article focuses on developing expert knowledge in a…

872

Abstract

The understanding of expert knowledge as shared, distributed and contextualised has gained ground. The case description in this article focuses on developing expert knowledge in a situation in which both knowledge needs and the definition of expertise fields changed radically in the public sector within a social crisis. The article examines an educational process against the idea of a knowledge‐building community as defined by Bereiter and Scardamalia in 1993. The aim is to highlight the pattern and flow of a progressive discourse. Alongside the idea of a knowledge‐building community, Boland and Tenkasi's 1995 notion of perspective taking and perspective making is utilised. The article discusses the factors that contributed to the success of discussion in the setting in which the target group was characterised by the transcending of organisational boundaries and expertise fields.

Details

Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 16 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-5626

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Philip Calvert

208

Abstract

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 22 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 22 February 2011

Sara Cervai and Tauno Kekäle

330

Abstract

Details

Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-5626

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2006

Adelina Broadbridge and Jeff Hearn

To introduce the special issue.

2375

Abstract

Purpose

To introduce the special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief description of the Gender and Management track at the European Academy of Management Conference and an outline of the papers in the issue.

Findings

The track examined various issues and the papers chosen from the track for the special issue are closest to the central concerns of the journal.

Originality/value

Provides a summary of the perspectives considered.

Details

Women in Management Review, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0964-9425

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 14 September 2012

Minna Leinonen

The purpose of this paper is to analyse management and employee experiences of gender divisions at work and to reflect on gender boundaries using the method of democratic…

1692

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse management and employee experiences of gender divisions at work and to reflect on gender boundaries using the method of democratic dialogue. It also considers the use of experiences in efforts supporting workplace democracy.

Design/methodology/approach

Finnish action research project sought to promote both gender equality and democratic dialogue. Content analysis is applied on group discussions on promoting gender equality at work.

Findings

Gender divisions in organizations were widely recognized. Challenges arose from the incompatibility of images of gender and gendered images of work. Participants’ perspectives varied depending on their hierarchical position.

Research limitations/implications

Democratic dialogue provides tools to approach sensitive topics that need special attention in promoting gender equality.

Practical implications

Work organizations need to use forums that bring together management and employee perspectives with a gender‐sensitive approach to support workplace democracy.

Originality/value

The paper shows that, to enable change, the understandings of gender and gender equality have to be negotiated on the local level and in a way that connects to participants’ realities and experiences.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

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