Browsing Research documents by Author "Felin, Teppo"
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Abell, Peter; Felin, Teppo; Foss, Nicolai J. (Frederiksberg, 2007)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Micro-foundations have become an important emerging theme in strategic management. This paper addresses micro-foundations in two related ways. First, we argue that the kind of macro (or “collectivist”) explanation that is utilized in the capabilities view in strategic management - which implies a neglect of micro-foundations in two related ways. First, we argue that the kind of macro (or "collectivist") explanation that is utilized in the capabilities view in strategic management - which implies a neglect of micro-foundations - is incomplete. There are no mechanisms that work solely on the macro-level, directly connecting routines and capabilities to firm-level outcomes. While routines and capabilities are useful shorthand for complicated patterns of individual action and interaction, ultimately they are best understood at the micro-level. Second, we provide a formal model that shows precisely why macro explanation is incomplete and which exemplifies how explicit micro-foundations may be built for notions of routines and capabilities and for how these impact firm performance. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7873 Files in this item: 1
DRUID_07_02.pdf (252.6Kb) -
Abell, Peter; Felin, Teppo; Foss, Nicolai (København, 2007)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Micro-foundations have become an important emerging theme in strategic management. This paper addresses micro-foundations in two related ways. First, we argue that the kind of macro (or "collectivist”) explanation that is utilized in the capabilities view in strategic management - which implies a neglect of micro-foundations - is incomplete. There are no mechanisms that work solely on the macro-level, directly connecting routines and capabilities to firm-level outcomes. While routines and capabilities are useful shorthand for complicated patterns of individual action and interaction, ultimately they are best understood at the micro-level. Second, we provide a formal model that shows precisely why macro explanation is incomplete and which exemplifies how explicit micro-foundations may be built for notions of routines and capabilities and for how these impact firm performance. Keywords: Routines, capabilities, micro-foundations, production function. JEL Code: L2, M1 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7474 Files in this item: 1
wp smg 69.pdf (300.6Kb) -
A Critique of Behaviorist and Empiricist ApproachesFelin, Teppo (Frederiksberg, 2009)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: We discuss the behaviorist and empiricist foundations of the organizational routines and capabilities literature, specifically the extant emphasis placed on experience, repetition and observation as the key inputs and mechanisms of behavior, learning and change in organizations. Based on this discussion we highlight several concerns associated with specifying experience and repetition as antecedents of routines and capabilities, namely, (1) the problem of origins and causation, (2) the problem of extremes, (3) the problem of intentionality, (4) the problem of new knowledge, and (5) the problem of the environment. We highlight the “poverty of stimulus” argument and more generally discuss how internalist or rationalist, choice-based approach might provide a more fruitful (though preliminary) foundation for extant research on organizational routines and capabilities. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7954 Files in this item: 1
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Thoughts on a Micro-Foundations Project for Strategic Management and Organizational AnalysisFelin, Teppo; Foss, Nicolai J. (København, 2006)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Making links between micro and macro levels has been problematic in the social sciences, and the literature in strategic management and organization theory is no exception The purpose of this chapter is to raise theoretical issues in developing micro-foundations for strategic management and organizational analysis We discuss more general problems with collectivism in the social sciences by focusing on specific problems in extant organizational analysis We introduce microfoundations to the literature by explicating the underlying theoretical foundations of the origins of individual action and interaction We highlight opportunities for future research, specifically emphasizing the need for a rational choice program in management research. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7470 Files in this item: 1
cbs forskningsindberetning smg 39.pdf (4.296Mb) -
Felin, Teppo; Foss, Nicolai J. (København, 2004)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Abstract During the last decade, strategy scholars have increasingly converged on organizational capabilities as a key construct in strategy research. We explicate some of the underlying, unstated assumptions of current capabilities-based work by drawing on seminal work in the philosophy of social science, particularly the debate between methodological individualism and collectivism. We argue that a number of explanatory anomalies as well as the apparent lack of progress in capabilities-based work are partly due to much of capabilities-based work being based on collectivist notions that sidestep critical individual-level considerations, including individual action and heterogeneity. In this note we do not deny or reject the notion of routines or capabilities per se, but rather call for an increased emphasis on how these collective structures originate and change as a result of individual actions. Key words: Organizational capabilities, methodological individualism, philosophy of social science URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7310 Files in this item: 1
ckg-wp202004-05.pdf (163.4Kb) -
Individuals, Processes, and SturctureFelin, Teppo; Foss, Nicolai J.; Heimeriks, Koen H. (Frederiksberg, 2012)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: We discuss the microfoundations of routines and capabilities, including why a microfoundations view is needed and how it may inform work on organizational and competitive heterogeneity. Building on extant research, we identify three primary categories of micro-level components underlying routines and capabilities: individuals, social processes, and structure and design. We discuss how these components, and their interactions, may affect routines and capabilities. In doing so, we outline a research agenda for advancing the field’s understanding of the microfoundations of routines and capabilities. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8401 Files in this item: 1
Teppo_Felin_SMG_WP_423.pdf (283.4Kb) -
A Research AgendaFoss, Nicolai J.; Argyres, Nicholas; Felin, Teppo; Zenger, Todd (Frederiksberg, 2012)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: For decades, the literatures on firm capabilities and organizational economics have been at odds with each other, specifically relative to explaining organizational boundaries and heterogeneity. We briefly trace the history of the relationship between the capabilities literature and organizational economics and point to the dominance of a “capabilities first” logic in this relationship. We argue that capabilities considerations are inherently intertwined with questions about organizational boundaries and internal organization, and use this point to respond to the prevalent “capabilities first” logic. We offer an integrative research agenda that focuses, first, on the governance of capabilities and, second, on the capability of governance. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8426 Files in this item: 1
Foss_SMGWP2012_1.pdf (780.0Kb) -
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Abstract: Organizational routines and capabilities have become key constructs not only in evolutionary economics, but more recently also in business administration, specifically strategic management. In this chapter we explicate some of the underlying theoretical problems of these concepts, and discuss the need for micro-foundations. Specifically, we focus on some of the explanatory problems of collective-level theorizing, and what we think are tenuous assumptions about human beings. We argue that individual-level considerations deserve significantly more consideration, and that evolutionary economics and strategic management would be well served by building on methodological individualism. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7891 Files in this item: 1
DRUID_04_13.pdf (346.0Kb) -
Felin, Teppo; Foss, Nicolai J. (København, 2008)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Organizational scholars have recently argued that economic theories and assumptions have adversely shaped management practice and human behavior, leading not only to the incorporation of trust-eroding market-mechanisms into organizations but also unnecessarily creating self-interested behavior. A number of highly influential papers have argued that the self-fulfilling nature of (even false) theories provides the underlying mechanism through which economics has adversely shaped not just social science but also management practice and individual behavior. We question these arguments, and argue that there are important boundary conditions to theories falsely fulfilling themselves, boundary conditions that have hitherto been unexplored in organizational research, and boundary conditions which question the underlying premises used by organizational scholars and social scientists to attack economics. We specifically build on highly relevant findings from social psychology, philosophy and organizational economics to show how (1) objective reality and (2) human nature provide two important boundary conditions for theories (falsely or otherwise) fulfilling themselves. We also defend organizational economics, specifically the use of high-powered incentives in organizations, and argue that self-interest (rightly understood) facilitates in creating beneficial individual and collective and societal outcomes. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7466 Files in this item: 1
smg wp 2008-19.pdf (394.8Kb)
Now showing items 1-9 of 9