Dear Professor Friedman,
7:30pm, 12/6/02.
My research topic is called: "Software development capabilities: an
innovation systems approach" based on the Anderson approach " Anderson
et al. (2000) Distributed Innovation Systems and Instituted Economic
Processes, in Metcalfe J.S. and Miles I. (eds.) Economics of Science,
Technology and Innovation, Innovation Systems in the Serviced Economy,
Measurement and Case Study Analysis, pp.15-40, Kluwer Academic."
My theorectical background is related to the following 2 views:
***
Schematic view:
- actors view: supplier firms, user firms and final customers,
universities and research bodies, other kinds of capability generating
organizations;
- relationships (connecting flows): between the different actors,
based on their different levels of opportunities, incentives, resources
and capabilities;
- boundary: each actor has its own autonomous component parts.
Systemic view:
- vertical interaction: knowledge generation from university and
research bodies down to supplier firms, user firms and then to final
customers;
- horizontal interaction: different kinds of knowledge with
different levels of opportunities, incentives, resource and capabilities
combine together to let a firm innovate in a particular way.
The technological model is based on the Software Capability Maturity
Model of SEI (2001) of Carnegie Mellon University
***
I hope that is not confusing you.
I also got some theorectical concept behind.
"Designers, when designing, (can be seen to) both
use knowledge (capacities for certain kinds of
rational action), and to generate knowledge (develop
further capacities for rational action)."
" Norwegian book on knowledge management"
I need to combine my research proposal with some relevance to a School
of Design so that there is relevance for their acceptance.
Your advice would be gracefully welcome.
Regards,
Brian, Hong Kong
7:30pm, 2002-06-12
-----Original Message-----
From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhDs in Design
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ken Friedman
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2002 7:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Whetten's "What constitutes a theoretical contribution?"
available on request
Dear Colleagues,
In reviewing articles and papers in design research, I have
noticed a frequent range of similar problems in understanding
the nature of a theoretical contribution.
While there are many complex issues involved in theory
development, understanding the basic nature of a theoretical
contribution is central to any research field.
In 1989, David A. Whetten wrote an important
article titled "What constitutes a theoretical contribution?"
(Academy of Management Review. Vol. 14, no. 4, 490-495).
He wrote this article from his perspective as editor of
Academy of Management Review.
While this article is written in the context of organization theory
and management studies, many of the issues that are developed
apply to design research. The theme remains important and
the article is widely used in research methods courses.
I will be happy to provide copies of this article as an attached
.pdf file to anyone who wishes to read it.
Requests coming today and tomorrow will be answered
immediately. Then I'm off to Staffordfshire for the conference
on philosophy of art and design.
All other requests answered next week.
Best regards,
--
Ken Friedman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Leadership and Strategic Design
Department of Leadership and Organization
Norwegian School of Management
Visiting Professor
Advanced Research Institute
School of Art and Design
Staffordshire University
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