Browsing Research documents by Title
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New Adventures in the Public Management of Pay ScalesRennison, Betina Wolfgang (København, 2005)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Communication makes a difference. The manner in which we communicate creates the phenomena we communicate about. It can seem obvious, but we are nevertheless seldom aware of the complexity this constructivist assumption implies. Through an analysis of a new salary system in the public sector of Denmark (called New Wage), this paper theorizes this complexity in terms of Niklas Luhmann’s systems theory. It identifies four wholly different ‘codes’ of communication: legal, economic, pedagogical and intimate. Each of them shapes the phenomena of ‘pay’, the construal of the employee and the form of management differently. In this chaos of codes the managerial challenge is to take a second order position in order to strategically manage the communication that manages management itself. Key words: Management; personnel management; human-relations; pay-system; communication; system-theory; discursive epistemology URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6381 Files in this item: 1
wp17-2005.pdf (136.4Kb) -
a redefinition of the strategies of local adaptation and global standardizationKragh, Simon (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
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Towards Relational Leadership In the Cultural SectorFriis Møller, Søren (Frederiksberg, 2012)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The thesis is an inquiry into how leadership is performed narratively in the cultural sector. Chapter 1 draws the cultural sector as a narrative landscape, and the reader is invited on a tour around this narrative landscape as seen through the eyes of some of the top guns in the cultural sector. Seen from this vantage, leadership in the cultural sector seems to be predominantly performed by relating narratives with reference to the metanarrative of the Enlightenment. The inquiry, however, draws on Lyotard (1984) to argue that such extralinguistic legitimization is in a crisis of legitimacy, wherefore the inquiry embarks on a problematization of the dominant understanding of leadership in the cultural sector with the activist aspiration of suggesting a postmoderning understanding of leadership in the cultural sector being performatively legitimized. Chapter 2 argues in favor of a relational, non-entitative understanding of narratives and it points to emplotment as a process of finding the best fit. This relational understanding of narratives allows the project to inquire into leadership performed narratively in all kinds of empirical settings, not confining itself to formal leadership contexts. Chapter 3 offers a genealogic approach to what the project has defined as the dominant narrative in the cultural sector, the narrative of art for art’s sake (the AFAS narrative), which the project argues function as an implicit standard. This includes notions of aesthetic autonomy such as suggested by Kant in 1790, artistic freedom and art for its own sake such as claimed by artists in the Romantic era, and the arm’s length principle as the ‘constitution of cultural policies’ in the post WW2 Western world. Chapter 4 provides an overview of alternative voices which have challenged the dominant narrative. These include post colonial studies, cultural entrepreneurial studies and consumer behavior studies which in various ways propose alternative ways to lead and support the cultural sector. Chapter 5 links the discussions in chapter 3 and chapter 4 to leadership studies, notably to discussions of leader-centered orientations versus leading relationally orientations. The chapter concludes by suggesting a new sensibility towards understanding leadership and meditates on how this might be achieved, paying attentions to the possibilities of overcoming the putative crisis of legitimacy the inquiry is placed in. Chapter 6 relates a case-study of Malmoe City Library which endeavors into a difficult, yet very promising process of reformulating what a library may become in a contemporary context. This process challenges the dominant narrative and thus the current understanding of what a library should be, and this deviation from the dominant narrative challenges leadership. Chapter 7 assembles three different approaches to challenges the dominant narrative and to make new interpretive resources available to the understanding of leadership in the cultural sector. First, givrum.nu, a social movement working with arts, second, Mogens Holm, a leader in the cultural sector in a transition phase, and third, Copenhagen Phil, a classical symphony orchestra striving to avoid becoming a parallel society phenomenon. These case studies are conducted as written interviews with the cases, in an attempted un-edited form to also introduce relational processes informed by a power with relation to my own research project. Chapter 8 reflects on the case-studies in chapter 6 and chapter 7 in light of the two approaches to leadership discussed in chapter 5. It does so by linking my study to relational leadership theory in order to see how this theoretical field might inform my inquiry and how my inquiry might inform this field. It equally offers five possible reconstructions of the cases before concluding the research project by summing up contributions to the empirical field and the research fields, as well as by pointing to areas which could be further developed in future research. In line with the aspirations of the relational constructionist framework of the project, the inquiry does not offer a conclusion. Instead it encourages further reconstructions, thus submitting itself to the performative legitimization it argues in favor of. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8590 Files in this item: 1
Søren_Friis_Møller.pdf (1.809Mb) -
Qualifying OthernessJanssens, Maddy; Steyaert, Chris (k, 1998)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The diversity domain seems currently in a struggle, having critical debates about the future direction of diversity studies as well as diversity programs and actions. It seems to have neglected theoretical reflections on notions of ‘diversity,’ ‘difference,’ or the ‘other.’ The purpose of this paper is to think theoretically about diversity, arguing that it is the thinking itself that has to become different and that a different thinking will make a difference in addressing policies and actions. The main point we try to make is that diversity is not a matter of constructing identities but of a moving alterity. We will depart from the current debates in diversity management, in which we identify mainly four issues: a narrow or broad definition of diversity, a stable or dynamic conception of identity, the role of power, and the importance of the socio-historical context. With the discussion of these four issues, we will try to indicate the implicit ‘theoretical’ choices prioritizing the concept of ‘identity’, turning the issues of diversity into a managing of individuals and ‘their’ identities. Rather than pursuing the route of identity, we try to explore another route, paving a possible way of conceiving the other from the position of the other and not from fixed norms and possibilities. We therefor turn to the concept of ‘alterity.’ The aim of the paper is then to develop an alterity-thinking by connecting and relating to the philosophical work of Deleuze and Guattari, and Serres; the writings of Collins on the Black-feminist standpoint, and recent political studies on democracy. The qualifications that we connect and associate to alterity, are: its relation to an ontology of becoming, its crossing out of the identifiable into becoming anonymous, its dependence on safe, social-cultural spaces, and on open, empty public spaces. To conclude, we reflect on the different ways in which this alterity-thinking is related to the four critical issues of the diversity literature and discuss its qualifications as possible conditions for what we might sum up as an ‘alterity politics.’ URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8127 Files in this item: 1
8791023122.pdf (75.97Kb) -
A Study of CWA Raters' Decision-Making BehavioursLindhardsen, Vivian (Frederiksberg, 2009)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The present maps study maps the decision-making behaviors of experienced raters in a well-established Communal Writing Assessment (CWA) context, tracing their behaviors all the way from the independent rating sessions, where the initial images and judgments are formed, to the communal rating sessions, where the final scores are assigned on the basis of collaboration between two rates. Results from think-aloud protocols, recorded discussions, retrespective reports and reported scores from 20 raters rating 15 ESL essays show that when moving from the independent ratings to the communal ratings, there is little, if any, increase in rater agreement levels and the raters' attention to the textual features corresponding to the official criteria become more evenly distributed. However, rather than consulting the scale descriptors directly in resolving insecurities about score assignment, the raters seemed to rely heavily on each others' expertise, thereby reducing the importance of the scale and emphasizing the value of the community of raters. In validating their scores in the communal rating discussions the raters appeared to be critically and equally engaged in the discussions, and through deliberating and refining their assessments the raters believed that CWA practices produce more accurate scores than in independent ratings and lead to professional development. These interpretations support a hermeneutic rather than a psychometric approach to establishing the validity of the present CWA practices. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7743 Files in this item: 1
Vivian_Lindhardsen.pdf (8.523Mb) -
Anthropology, Fieldwork and Organizational EthnographyMoeran, Brian (København, 2007)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This paper looks at the relationship between anthropology, fieldwork and what is referred to as ‘organizational ethnography’. It starts by distinguishing between fieldwork, which is a method of conducting qualitative research, initially in the discipline of anthropology, and ethnography, which is the writing up of that research. The paper makes use of the author’s fieldwork experiences in a Japanese advertising agency to illustrate a number of features that define fieldwork as a methodology. It argues that it is the shift from participant observation to observant participation that enables the fieldworker to move from front stage to back stage in the study of an organization, and thereby to gain information and knowledge that is otherwise available only to insiders. Fieldwork, Anthropology, Organizational Ethnography, Observant Participation URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7038 Files in this item: 1
wp 2007-2.pdf (264.9Kb) -
Hemlin, Sven; Wenneberg, Søren Barlebo (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
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New Challenges and Opportunities for RegulatorsGoldberg, Lawrence G.; Sweeney, Richard J.; Wihlborg, Clas (København, 2005)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Nordea is the first major international bank planning to operate important host country activities in branches as the Second European banking directive envisions rather than as subsidiaries. Nordea is the result of mergers of roughly equal-size universal banks in four Nordic countries with the intention to reap economies of scale and scope by providing services in an integrated organization. Nordea has so far operated under a legal structure with subsidiaries in the host countries. When the new branch organization is implemented, EU directives specify that the home country is responsible for supervision, regulation as well as deposit insurance. Supervisors in all involved countries are challenged by this prospect and they are negotiating to obtain an acceptable division of responsibilities. We argue that the Nordea case offers an opportunity to implement the EU's vision and to develop institutional foundations for substantial market discipline in banking. In particular, distress resolution and insolvency procedures for banks must be made rule based and credible for host country authorities to accept home country control. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6783 Files in this item: 1
wplefic042005.pdf (209.7Kb) -
An Explorative DiscussionFoss, Nicolai Juul (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
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Inter-Ethnic Relations and Economic Development in Penang, MalaysiaJacobsen, Michael (, 2009)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Identity formation is probably one of the most discussed aspects of strategic positioning within anthropology, sociology and political science. In general notions of identity have been based on either an absolutist or primordial understanding of belonging or a constructionalist view in which social and political positioning in terms of identity formation are governed by a given societal context. This paper bases its understanding of identity formation on the latter approach. This means that depending of context individuals have several different although related identities to choose between when manoeuvring in a complex and dynamic social environment. Identity formation, achieved or ascribed, and its various forms of externalisation are thus negotiated and not absolute. The dynamic behind this notion of identity formation is individual agency strategically manipulating social, economic and political positioning in a given societal setup. To illustrate the complexities and in this case negative ramifications of social engineering the article focuses on inter-ethnic relations and industrial development in Penang, Malaysia. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7909 Files in this item: 1
CDP 2009-030.pdf (164.5Kb) -
economic and scientific specialisation among OECD countriesLaursen, Keld; Salter, Ammon (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
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Hanh, Pham Thi Song (Frederiksberg, 2008)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Departing from my interest in finding key factors determining a developing country firms’ export success, this research explores two fascinating topics: one is the debate on whether a developing country’s producers should become involved in marketing functions where a developed country’s firms already hold a strong position, and the other is the very limited attention given in the export literature to the role of relational capability in a firm’s export business.... URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7742 Files in this item: 1
pham_thi_song_hanh.pdf (1.155Mb) -
A semiotic outline of fundamental signs, significance-effects, knowledge profiling and their use in knowledge organization and brandingThellefsen, Torkild Leo (Frederiksberg, 2009)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: I designate my work as a semeiotic of knowledge organization in a somewhat wide meaning of the concept. A somewhat wide meaning means that it is not restricted to LIS research in keywords or representational theory of documents or thesauri construction etc. It builds upon and is inspired by the semeiotic of Peirce. It understands development of signs as a process of knowledge organization. Here, the focus is on branding, emotions and scientific knowledge. Therefore, the aim of the thesis is to present the concepts: the fundamental sign, the significance‐effect, semeiotic constructivism and the knowledge profile, and to suggest some relations between them. The main questions I pursue, and which this thesis hopefully will give answers to, are: Is it possible to define and describe the above mentioned concepts, which have their theoretical starting point in the semeiotic of Peirce? And is it possible to outline a use of these concepts? URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8003 Files in this item: 1
Torkild_Leo_Thellefsen.pdf (6.605Mb) -
The International Monetary Fund and Policy Reform Surveillance in Small Open EconomiesSeabrooke, Leonard; Broome, André (København, 2006)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The International Monetary Fund spends most of its time monitoring its member states' economic performance and advising on institutional change. While much of the literature sees the Fund as a policy enforcer in "emerging market" and "frontier" economies, little attention has been paid to exploring the Fund’s bilateral surveillance of its Western member states. This article proposes that "seeing like the IMF" provides a dynamic view of how the Fund frames its advice for institutional change. It does so through "associational templates" that do not blindly promote institutional convergence, but appeal for change on the basis of like-characteristics among economies. Many Western states, particularly small open economies, consider the Fund's advice as important not only for technical know-how, but because Fund assessments are significant to international and domestic political audiences. This article traces the Fund's advice on taxation and monetary reform to two coordinated market economies, Denmark and Sweden, and two liberal market economies, Australia and New Zealand from 1975 to 2004. It maps how the Fund advocated "policy revolutions" and "policy recombinations" during this period, advice that coincided with important institutional changes within these small open economies. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7323 Files in this item: 1
wp37_imf_denmark_ls.pdf (203.9Kb) -
A Study of a New Economy Firm’s Powers of PersuasionElgaard Jensen, Torben (København, 2005)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The article is an empirical analysis of how a Scandinavian new economy firm was able to persuade a number of business journalists that it represented ‘the future’. It analyses how visitors to the firm were met with a specific and persuasive combination of rhetorical and material ressources. It suggests that the persuasive power of the firm was based on its ability to evoke and articulate a series of pointed contrasts between the attractive working life within the firm and the ordinary and problematic work life elsewhere. The article suggests that this strategy of drawing contrasts together differs from the mode of persuasion usually described by STS. Keywords: Sociology of expectations, Sociology of futures, Sociology of anticipation, New Economy, dot-com, persuasion, power, actor-network theory, materialised contrast argument. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/6690 Files in this item: 1
future and furniture - berlin.pdf (288.3Kb) -
Rai, Sudhanshu; Kuhn Pedersen, Mogens (Frederiksberg, 2010)[More information][Less information]
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On the strategification of time in organisationsFrankel, Christian (København, 2003)[More information][Less information]
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A Third-Generation Prediction MarketHallin, Carina Antonia; Juul Andersen, Torben; Tveterås, Sigbjørn (Frederiksberg, 2013)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This article theorizes a new way to predict firm performance based on aggregation of sensing among frontline employees about changes in operational capabilities to update strategic action plans. We frame the approach in the context of first- and second-generation prediction markets and outline its unique features as a third-generation prediction market. It is argued that frontline employees gain deep insights when they execute operational activities on an ongoing basis in the organization. The experiential learning from close interaction with internal and external stakeholders provides unique insights not otherwise available to senior management. We outline a methodology to agglomerate these insights in a performance barometer as an important source for problem finding and innovation. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8815 Files in this item: 1
Hallin_Juul Andersen_Tveteraas.pdf (258.0Kb) -
Frankel, Christian (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
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Østergaard, Uffe (København, 2008)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Er Færøerne en nation uden stat? Det mener næsten alle færinger. Mange – muligvis et flertal – ønsker at gå skridtet videre til en helt uafhængig national stat med økonomisk og muligvis også fuld politisk uafhængighed af Danmark. At en sådan vil skulle klassificeres som mikrostat i lighed med øriger i Stillehavet bekymrer tilsyneladende ikke nationalt selvbevidste færinger. Hvordan danskerne i den danske del af Rigsfællesskabet ser på Færøerne er mere uklart. Modsat holdningen til Grønland er det først og fremmest uvidenhed der præger forholdet. Forholdet mellem de to rigsdele i den konstruktion der i grundloven kaldes ”Rigsenheden”, også selv om vi i praksis er gået over til at tale om rigsfællesskabet, er i øjeblikket mere end nogensinde til forhandling. Forhandlingerne foregår på baggrund af den aftale om hjemmestyre der blev vedtaget i 1948 efter en afstemning der endte med et meget snævert flertal for uafhængighed. Fra officiel dansk side har man hidtil kviet sig ved at anerkende Færøerne som en egen nation, da nation i dansk politisk sprogbrug normalt antages at være identisk med stat. Det er ikke helt urimeligt som det fremgår af navnet de Forenede Nationer, der som bekendt ikke består af folk, men af stater. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7360 Files in this item: 1
wp cbp 2008-44.pdf (164.5Kb)