Post-merger cultural integration from a social network perspective: a computational modeling approach

Although cultural integration, or sharing a common corporate culture, is crucial for the success of mergers, previous studies have been limited to firm-level analyses. From a social network perspective, this study explores how cultural integration emerges from the patterns of social interactions among individuals. Using an agent-based model, we investigate the impact of network structures within and between two merging firms on post-merger cultural integration and organizational dysfunctions—individual turnover, interpersonal conflict and organizational communication ineffectiveness—that arise from insufficient cultural integration. The simulation results demonstrate that the highest level of cultural integration is achieved when social ties are more centralized within each merging firm and the social ties between the merging firms are less concentrated on central individuals. Additionally, the results show that within-firm and between-firm network structures significantly affect individual turnover, interpersonal conflict and organizational communication ineffectiveness, and that these three outcome measurements do not vary in tandem.     

Networks, Fields and Organizations: Micro-Dynamics, Scale and Cohesive Embeddings

Social action is situated in fields that are simultaneously composed of interpersonal ties and relations among organizations, which are both usefully characterized as social networks. We introduce a novel approach to distinguishing different network macro-structures in terms of cohesive subsets and their overlaps. We develop a vocabulary that relates different forms of network cohesion to field properties as opposed to organizational constraints on ties and structures. We illustrate differences in probabilistic attachment processes in network evolution that link on the one hand to organizational constraints versus field properties and to cohesive network topologies on the other. This allows us to identify a set of important new micro-macro linkages between local behavior in networks and global network properties. The analytic strategy thus puts in place a methodology for Predictive Social Cohesion theory to be developed and tested in the context of informal and formal organizations and organizational fields. We also show how organizations and fields combine at different scales of cohesive depth and cohesive breadth. Operational measures and results are illustrated for three organizational examples, and analysis of these cases suggests that different structures of cohesive subsets and overlaps may be predictive in organizational contexts and similarly for the larger fields in which they are embedded. Useful predictions may also be based on feedback from level of cohesion in the larger field back to organizations, conditioned on the level of multiconnectivity to the field.     

The Effect of Task Uncertainty and Decentralization on Project Team Performance

This paper investigates relationships among task uncertainty, level of centralization, and project team performance. Team performance is measured in three dimensions: cost, time, and quality. Adopting an information processing view and contingency theory, the authors discuss tradeoffs among the three performance dimensions of a project team. Results from the simulation study indicate that, under high task uncertainty, a decentralized team performs better in terms of cost and time, but a centralized team performs better in terms of quality. Under low task uncertainty, there is no performance difference between a centralized team and a decentralized team in terms of cost and time, but a centralized team performs better in terms of quality. The paper suggests that researchers pay attention to the relative impact of centralization and decentralization on different dimensions of organizational performance, and managers adopt an organizational structure that performs better in a performance dimension that counts more to enhance overall performance.     

考虑车辆限速区间的危险品运输网络优化

由于危险品在运输过程中存在极大的危害性,为了降低危险品运输风险,政府可以通过对不同路段设置不同的限速区间来引导危险品运输车辆的路径选择,从而导致不同的运输网络总风险和鲁棒成本。首先基于车辆限速区间的方法,构建了危险品运输网络优化的双层规划模型,上层规划以最大运输网络总风险值最小化为目标,下层规划以危险品运输企业的鲁棒成本最小化为目标;然后,设计了粒子群优化算法求解了该模型;最后,通过两个算例验证了模型和算法的有效性。计算结果表明政府部门运用车辆限速区间的方法不仅能够非常有效地降低危险品运输网络总风险,而且更具有鲁棒性和现实可操作性。     

Inter-organizational information sharing: The role of supply network configuration and partner goal congruence

This paper presents a theoretical framework to investigate the relationships between the design of a supply network (SN) and inter-organizational information sharing (IIS). We distinguish between four different types of inter-organizational information sharing. These concepts are developed using a two-dimensional classification scheme consisting of varying levels of the volume of information shared and the strategic importance of this information in an organizational context. Theoretical arguments and analysis of secondary data are used to develop propositions regarding the association between SN configurations and IIS types, and the role of coordination structure in such associations.     

Politics,strong institution and competitive advantage: an examination of organizational aspiration for competition

This study seeks to elucidate the interplay of interfirm rivalry and aspiration formation. Organizational aspiration serves as a categorical judgment over a desirable level of organizational performance. While aspiration as a driver of collective decision-making inside the firm is well recognized, our understanding is still limited as to the competitive consequence of aspiration-induced actions. From a computational model of aspiration-induced R&D, where competition is biased towards the status quo, this study suggests that although radical innovation calls for flexibility and diversity inside the firm, aspiration-induced action favors consensus such as a firm with machine bureaucracy either (1) in a market where a majority of consumers are unable to discern a small quality improvement, i.e., demand difficult to satisfy or (2) in a market where competitive advantage dissipates quickly, i.e., an unstable environment. In particular, this study shows that: (1) the level of organizational aspiration has little to do with the sustainability of competitive advantage; (2) aspiration strength—i.e., the extent of consensus among decision makers of the firm as to a legitimate level of organizational aspiration—interacts with the change in competitive advantage. The leading firm is likely to lose its competitive advantage when a follower has a stronger aspiration than the leader in a market whose demand is difficult to satisfy; and (3) the effect of aspiration strength on the sustainability of competitive advantage increases whenever organizational assets depreciate over time.     

Network formation and knowledge gains

Incentive-based models for network formation link micro actions to changes in network structure. Sociologists have extended these models on a number of fronts, but there remains a tendency to treat actors as homogenous agents and to disregard social theory. Drawing upon literature on the strategic use of networks for knowledge gains, we specify models exploring the co-evolution of networks and knowledge gains. Our findings suggest that pursuing transitive ties is the most successful strategy, as more reciprocity and cycling result from this pursuit, thus encouraging learning across the network. We also discuss the role of network size, global network structure, and parameter strength in actors’ attainment of knowledge resources.     

基于交互式模糊规划方法的可持续闭环供应链网络规划

在市场需求、设施开设成本和产品回收率不确定的条件下,采用一种交互式可能性规划方法,研究由多个工厂、分销点、市场和废旧点构成的可持续闭环供应链网络设计问题。基于可持续闭环供应链网络结构,构建以企业运营成本和环境伤害最小、社会效益最大为目标的混合整数规划模型。同时,引入改进Epsilon约束方法将多目标优化问题转化为单目标优化问题,在此基础上提出一种两阶段可能性规划方法,基于TH模糊方法对不确定性参数进行处理。最后,通过数值实例,验证本文所建可持续闭环供应链网络模型的有效性,并对悲观-乐观值、不确定参数最低可接受水平β、可调参数γ进行敏感性分析;通过与其他模糊方法对比表明,采用TH模糊方法能得到稳定的最优解。     

Sensitivity Analysis Based Method for Optimal Road Network Pricing

Road pricing is an important economic measure for optimal management of transportation networks. The optimization objectives can be the total travel time or total cost incurred by all the travelers, or some other environmental objective such as minimum emission of dioxide, an so on. Suppose a certain toll is posed on some link on the network, this will give an impact on flows over the whole network and brings about a new equilibrium state. An equilibrium state is a state of traffic network at which no traveler could decrease the perceived travel cost by unilaterally changing the route. The aim of the toll setting is to achieve such an equilibrium state that a certain objective function is optimized. The problem can be formulated as a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC). A key step for solving such a MPEC problem is the sensitivity analysis of traffic flows with respect to the change of link characteristics such as the toll prices. In this paper a sensitivity analysis based method is proposed for solving optimal road pricing problems.     

An Approximation Method for Improving Dynamic Network Model Fitting

There has been a great deal of interest recently in the modeling and simulation of dynamic networks, that is, networks that change over time. One promising model is the separable temporal exponential-family random graph model (ERGM) of Krivitsky and Handcock, which treats the formation and dissolution of ties in parallel at each time step as independent ERGMs. However, the computational cost of fitting these models can be substantial, particularly for large, sparse networks. Fitting cross-sectional models for observations of a network at a single point in time, while still a nonnegligible computational burden, is much easier. This article examines model fitting when the available data consist of independent measures of cross-sectional network structure and the duration of relationships under the assumption of stationarity. We introduce a simple approximation to the dynamic parameters for sparse networks with relationships of moderate or long duration and show that the approximation method works best in precisely those cases where parameter estimation is most likely to fail—networks with very little change at each time step. We consider a variety of cases: Bernoulli formation and dissolution of ties, independent-tie formation and Bernoulli dissolution, independent-tie formation and dissolution, and dependent-tie formation models.     

网络安全漏洞信息披露中多元参与主体行为策略演化博弈分析

全球网络威胁日趋严峻,作为网络安全事件产生的根源之一,网络安全漏洞越来越被重视,对漏洞的披露已是国家网络安全应急体系建设的重要内容之一。本文构建了网络安全漏洞共享平台、软件厂商及黑客之间的三方博弈模型,并从演化博弈角度对模型进行了分析和数值模拟,确立了稳定均衡点存在的条件。研究结果表明:不同参数初始值对三方博弈结果存在显著差异,软件质量越差,平台越倾向于“封闭披露”策略;对漏洞发现者的支付积极影响软件厂商“注册会员”倾向,对黑客的“努力攻击”倾向产生负面影响;随披露成本的上升,平台更倾向于采纳“封闭披露”策略;预期损失过大,软件厂商倾向于“注册会员”策略。     

The Effect of Organizational Communication Media on Organizational Culture and Performance: An Agent-Based Simulation Model

This paper examines the mutual relationship between the communication richness of media used for conducting organizational communication and organizational culture. The richness of the media influences how well the organization might maintain its culture. On the other hand, a strong organizational culture allows a more effective use of the media by providing members with some of the necessary common ground to better understand the information exchanged. These relationships are investigated using an agent-based simulation model (ABM). Our ABM incorporates many partial theories into a coherent and fully defined model, which helps formalize and integrate those theories. Our model allows us to analyze non-linearities and interaction effects, which are difficult to investigate using other techniques. Additionally, the ABM allows us to investigate the dynamics of the phenomenon and generate hypotheses that could then be tested using empirical studies. Given the substantial resources necessary to conduct empirical studies, we think that the present ABM is valuable in helping guide data collection efforts. In this paper, we present results that show that organizational culture can influence the effectiveness of the media used for organizational communication and that a high media richness can help maintain and stabilize a culture. The effect of media richness on organizational culture depends on the initial strength of the culture. In general, for a given richness of the media, an initially strong culture stabilizes faster and becomes stronger through time than an initially weak culture. Additionally, the model suggests that a stable network of contacts among agents fosters a high achievement of organizational tasks. Conversely, when agents are forced to establish contacts with agents outside the usual network for doing their work, the accomplishment of tasks decreases.     

基于社会网络视角的突发灾害应急响应合作者关系网络分析——以“6·24”叠溪滑坡灾害为例

突发灾害应急管理实践表明,响应主体间的合作关系网络可靠性将影响应急响应的效率。本文以“6.24”新磨滑坡作为研究案例,采用文献分析、访谈、关系挖掘等研究方法构建灾害响应过程中主体间的合作者关系网络,重点从社会网络视角对该合作者关系的网络韧性进行量化分析,并对比随机生成的合作网络以及国外类似案例。研究发现,应急响应网络中的关键行动主体履行了救灾响应所要求的责任角色;在应急救援的效率方面,我国的应急救援体制具有制度优越性;指挥部等关键行动者会影响整个合作网络的效率和韧性。因此,在灾后应急救援时需进一步提升整体网络成员中协同救灾的水平,以在救援效率和效果上取得实效。     

The Dynamics of Cultural Influence Networks

This article investigates the behavior of cultural influence networks over time, using a computer simulation based on a formal model of cultural transmission in organizations. In the formal model, every organizational member exerts some cultural influence on, and is influenced by, every other member; these influence paths constitute a dense social network and the weights of paths (ties) vary throughout the network. Over time, each organizational member's enculturation level changes in response to influence from other members, and the influence weight of each path changes in relationship to the cultural similarity of the individuals connected by the path. Virtual experiments explore the configuration and evolution of the cultural influence network under varying demographic conditions and influence principles. Demographic effects are studied by varying organizational size, hiring selectivity and turnover rates. Two principles for determining initial influence path weights are examined, cohort-based influence and random influence. The simulations show that the cultural influence network evolves over time to a robust configuration, fluctuating around a stable dynamic equilibrium as individuals enter and leave the organization. As turnover rates rise, cohort-based influence strengthens the influence network and reduces network inequality. In this model, cohort-based influence processes promote cultural stability in organizations.     

基于风险网络的大型工程项目风险度量方法研究

风险度量是风险管理的基础,提出适合大型工程项目风险的风险度量方法.针对大型工程项目风险因素、风险信息、风险损失之间的复杂联系,构建大型工程项目风险网络,分别采用贝叶斯网络推理和网络层次分析法获得风险发生概率和风险量的估计,从而提出基于风险网络的大型工程项目风险度量方法.方法将风险损失量和风险损失发生概率进行了明确合理的结合,既可用于度量客观风险,也可用于度量主观风险.最后以槽菁头隧道施工风险管理为例说明该方法的具体应用步骤和效果.     

基于混沌理论的创新网络中组织间信任演化研究

以往关于信任的研究是在稳定均衡的假设下进行的,然而信任演化过程中会表现出非线性的混沌状态,具有复杂系统的特征。基于演化博弈理论和混沌理论,建立了创新网络中组织间信任演化模型,分析了创新网络中组织间信任的复杂性、初值敏感性、分岔行为及内随机性等混沌特性,推导出信任演化方程与Logistic映射之间的关系,采用Lyapunov稳定性理论进行混沌性判定,证明创新网络中组织间信任通过倍周期分岔通往混沌,得到了信任从有序进入混沌的一般条件,运用算例进行仿真展示信任演化通往混沌的过程,分析创新网络中信任演化进入混沌区的实际意义,并选择硅谷和筑波科技城两个实例做对比分析,验证了该研究的实用性和有效性。创新网络中组织间信任的混沌演化反映出信任发展的非线性特点,为创新网络中组织间信任的混沌利用和控制提供理论指导。     

需求不确定的服务设施网络设计模型鲁棒性研究

由于选址决策的长期性,参数面临随机波动,在选址问题中考虑不确定因素至关重要。在选址模型中提出一种新的鲁棒方法,采用有界对称的“盒子”作为不确定需求的集合,通过调节不确定预算,来权衡解的鲁棒性与系统成本之间的关系。利用该方法得到的鲁棒模型不仅能够转化成线性规划,并且可以计算出设施的最低服务水平。然后,设计禁忌搜索算法来求解该问题,数值算例的结果表明了算法的有效性。最后,分析了不同鲁棒水平下,服务设施网络不同的拓扑结构,并得到服务水平与成本之间的权衡关系。同时对需求扰动作了敏感性分析,结果表明随着服务水平的提高,成本对需求扰动越来越敏感。     

服务型制造网络资源整合决策优化模型

服务型制造是制造业发展的新模式,服务型制造的顺利开展依赖于对服务型制造网络中各种资源的整合及优化.分析服务型制造网络的运作特征, 在此基础上将决定网络和个体运作水平的硬环境因素和软环境因素作为服务型制造网络资源整合的主导因素,提出基于主导因素评判的资源整合决策模式,构建出优化整合决策的数学模型,搭建了改进的蚁群寻优算法来求解整合决策的优化过程,最后借助算例仿真验证算法的有效性与可行性。     

安全质量费用工期在网络计划中的系统优化研究

施工网络计划中安全、质量、费用、工期达到综合优化是工程管理决策追求的目标,在工程项目管理中对这4个指标进行全面系统分析,并且进行综合均衡优化,对于提高工程项目的综合效益至关重要.采取在网络计划所有可行的施工方案中寻求最优的方案组合,从而达到总目标的优化.并且通过一个实例来说明本方法的应用.     

轴辐式同城快递网络模式研究

随着快递网点密度的稠密化,网络结构设计优劣直接关系到快递公司的运营成本和服务水平。针对快递公司的同城快递市场,在不改变现有网点规模选址的基础上改变网点的从属,结合轴辐式网络结构模式设计来提升其时效并优化成本和资源投入。以运输成本最小为目标,建立了带分支流向约束的枢纽选址模型,设计了高效的禁忌搜索算法对问题求解并验证了算法的有效性。最后提供相应的集散点选址分配解决方案,有利于整合资源形成规模效应,同时提供了同城快递分区管理依据,避免因网络结构复杂引起管理和运营混乱;从长远来看,有利于节约运营成本,增加其快递网络的柔性,降低运作管理的难度。