Browsing by Author "Knudsen, Thorbjørn"
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Toward a General FrameworkChristensen, Michael; Knudsen, Thorbjørn (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
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Knudsen, Thorbjørn; Eriksen, Bo (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The recent decade’s research on organizational forms has gained important headway in converging upon a few particularly important causes of the new forms that have been observed. Yet, most studies offer no explicit definition of "organizational form," and ignore the need to establish what should count as a "new form." In order to advance this research, the present paper therefore aims to provide a preliminary definition of organizational form, developed along the lines of organizational economics. A typology is provided that allows identification of alternative forms of organizing in terms of distinct architectures (topology plus dynamic rules) and a corresponding level of delegation of decision rights. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6876 Files in this item: 1
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Knudsen, Thorbjørn (København, 2000)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The present study extends the competence-based view by appealing to cognitive frames as codeterminants of persistent performance differentials. It is suggested that financial performance is influenced by a causal chain running from cognitive frames through constrained information processing and perceived uncertainty. The empirical test provides evidence from survey data and archival data supporting this assertion. We are aware of no previous work that explicitly states or tests this causal chain. Furthermore, we introduce a novel method to estimate path models when the usual approach is infeasible. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6871 Files in this item: 1
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An Intraindustry AnalysisKnudsen, Thorbjørn; Eriksen, Bo (København, 2000)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Previous empirical diversification research has largely ignored the combined effect of inputand output diversity as drivers of financial performance. In view of this gap, the present paper provides an empirical analysis of the link between intraindustry commitment, diversity of the firm’s product market portfolio and performance. We suggest that commitment constrains the ability to diversify, and that product market diversity can be evaluated with respect to the extent that increases in diversity lead to increases in coordination costs. Our results suggest that commitment to physical assets and technology choice drives product and product line diversity. Furthermore, financial performance increases in product diversity and tends to decrease in the number of product lines. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6896 Files in this item: 1
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Knudsen, Thorbjørn; Koed Madsen, Tage (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The purpose of the present article is to contribute to a more detailed understanding of the determinants of the firm’s environmental performance. We pursue this aim by formulating a schematic theoretical model including a number of antecedents, mediators and consequences that are important according to the literature on environmental management and corporate greening. In addition, the model includes market orientation and the firm’s level of internationalization as possible determinants of environmental performance. Unfortunately, the previous empirical research on environmental management and corporate greening has not yet developed the measures needed to achieve a reasonable level of construct validity. To fill this gap, we complement previous research by developing and refining the multi-item scales necessary to measure the constructs of our theoretical model. We use a series of nested covariance structure models to test our theoretical model on survey data from 1995 and 1999. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6867 Files in this item: 1
linkwp01-27.pdf (125.7Kb) -
Knudsen, Thorbjørn (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: How does population dynamics influence outcomes in situations with public good characteristics? The present paper answers this question by analysing the evolution of costly cooperation in a multi-group population. Building on insights first developed in modern biology the idea of viscous population equilibria is introduced (a population is said to be viscous when a (sub)population of players is spatially or genetically clustered). A simple model then analyses how the combined effect of viscosity within multiple subgroups and different levels of between-group segregation influences the evolution of cooperation. The results suggest that a key issue in the evolution of cooperation is the shifting balance between the need to protect cooperators and propagation of the tendency to cooperate. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6880 Files in this item: 1
linkwp01-26.pdf (110.6Kb) -
An Empirical Analysis of Some Basic CharacteristicsKnudsen, Thorbjørn; Koed Madsen, Tage (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The label ‘International New Ventures’ has been used to designate firms, which from their inception are oriented towards the international market place. The present article aims to test empirically whether such a type of manufacturing firms differ from comparable firms with respect to some basic characteristics. The motivation for doing so is to evaluate the usefulness of studying International New Ventures as a distinct form of economic organization. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6891 Files in this item: 1
linkwp02-24.pdf (232.0Kb) -
towards a sustainable explanation of competitive advantageFoss, Nicolai Juul; Knudsen, Thorbjørn (København, 2000)[More information][Less information]
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Becker, Markus C.; Knudsen, Thorbjørn (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Under conditions of pervasive uncertainty, increasing the "amount" of information will not necessarily decrease uncertainty. Perhaps more information will even increase uncertainty. Since information may be valuable, even under conditions of pervasive uncertainty, this amounts to a puzzle. Its solution seems to hold the promise of understanding how decisionmakers actually go about reducing uncertainty in its more pervasive forms and is therefore at the center of attention in the present article. It is hypothesized that the role of routines in decision-making provides the key to solve the "information puzzle." Drawing on data from 56 companies, the argument is supported by empirical tests employing path analysis by linear structural equations modeling. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6907 Files in this item: 1
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A missing link between Schumpeter's theories of economic development, business cycles and democracyBecker, Markus C.; Esslinger, Hans Ulrich; Hedtke, Ulrich; Knudsen, Thorbjørn (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The present article introduces Development, a new, unpublished and hitherto unknown article written by Joseph A. Schumpeter. It was originally written in 1932 and titled Entwicklung. Development is remarkable since it helps understand the unity of Schumpeter’s work and significantly adds to Schumpeter’s known works on a number of issues that were central to his theory of economic development. Development shows that Schumpeter considered the explanation of novelty as the most important unsolved scientific problem. For Schumpeter, entrepreneurship remained a good description of novelty, but, by his own admission in Development, nothing is explained thereby. On the optimistic side, Schumpeter indicates that theoretical advances might be forthcoming that can help a better understanding of the social dynamics which gives rise to novelty. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6910 Files in this item: 1
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Why Docility Evolves to Breed Successful AltruismKnudsen, Thorbjørn (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: In light of the under-explored potential of Simon’s theory of altruism, the purpose of the present article is to review his explanation of altruism and to point out some of its implications for behavioural economics and theories of economic organization. In the course of the argument, this article relates Simon’s theory of altruism to Hamilton’s theory of kinship selection and then proceeds to examine a critical assumption of Simon’s model that social organizations know better than individuals. Within the parameters of Simon’s own model, the paper suggests how this assumption can be justified. The paper concludes by noting that Simon offered a new and so far under-explored mechanism for the emergence of altruism in biological populations and suggests a controlled experiment to test Simon’s explanation against Hamilton’s. Finally, it is noteworthy that Simon’s theory has immediate implications for the understanding of human nature that invites revision and development of behavioural economics and theories of economic organization. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6898 Files in this item: 1
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Praest Knudsen, Mette; Knudsen, Thorbjørn (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Empirical research has made progress in developing indicators for the measurement of technological competences. A so far unmet challenge, however, is to trace the patterns of relationships among key variables at the firm level as they unfold in the context of the industry dynamics. The aim of the present paper is therefore to develop the methodology required to search for patterns of relationships among such key variables (R&D investments, technology and performance), to trace these patterns over time and thereby unfold the underlying industry dynamics. We are here referring to the possibility of using statistical methods such as Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) to trace similarities and dissimilarities among a set of variables - as opposed to testing simple linear and non-linear causal relations. We extend the previous use of MDS to further include what is known as "external unfolding." Using this proposed methodology, we derive an "industry space" that allows identification of the tendency to form groups, and to infer the stability of such groups of firms sharing similar conditions. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6934 Files in this item: 1
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Knudsen, Thorbjørn (København, 2000)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The present article introduces the theory of cultural evolution as a possible basis for further development of a micro-evolutionary economic theory. Cultural evolution is Lamarckian and involves social transmission of explicit knowledge by choice or imposition. A possible complementary Darwinian principle operating in the social realm is defined in terms of social transmission of tacit knowledge. According to this principle, termed Local Emulative Selection, some forms of tacit knowledge are not adapted (those which cannot be reached by consciousness) by their carrier. I then identify a problem of adaptation that plagues any form of Lamarckian selection. This base-line problem implies that the evolutionary potential decreases as the possibility of adaptation increases. In consequence, the social transmission of tacit knowledge, which cannot be reached by consciousness, protects the evolutionary potential associated with any form of social evolution. By contrast, it is suggested that a systematic codification of tacit knowledge can potentially corrupt the evolutionary potential of any organisation. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6889 Files in this item: 1
linkwp21.pdf (191.1Kb)
Now showing items 1-13 of 13