Knowledge transfer in globally distributed teams:the role of transactive memory

This paper explores the role of transactive memory in enabling knowledge transfer between globally distributed teams. While the information systems literature has recently acknowledged the role transactive memory plays in improving knowledge processes and performance in colocated teams, little is known about its contribution to distributed teams. To contribute to filling this gap, knowledge-transfer challenges and processes between onsite and offshore teams were studied at TATA Consultancy Services. In particular, the paper describes the transfer of knowledge between onsite and offshore teams through encoding, storing and retrieving processes. An in-depth case study of globally distributed software development projects was carried out, and a qualitative, interpretive approach was adopted. The analysis of the case suggests that in order to overcome differences derived from the local contexts of the onsite and offshore teams (e.g. different work routines, methodologies and skills), some specific mechanisms supporting the development of codified and personalized ‘directories’ were introduced. These include the standardization of templates and methodologies across the remote sites as well as frequent teleconferencing sessions and occasional short visits. These mechanisms contributed to the development of the notion of ‘who knows what’ across onsite and offshore teams despite the challenges associated with globally distributed teams, and supported the transfer of knowledge between onsite and offshore teams. The paper concludes by offering theoretical and practical implications.

Enhancing the transparency of accounting research: the case of narrative analysis

Purpose – This paper aims to clarify what ‘narrative analysis’ may entail when it is assumed that interview accounts can be treated as (collections of) narratives. What is considered a narrative and how these may be analyzed is open to debate. After suggesting an approach of how to deal with narrative analysis, the authors critically discuss how far it might offer insights into a particular accounting case. Design/methodology/approach – After having explained what the authors’ view on narrative analysis is, and how this is linked with the extant literature, the authors examine the socialisation processes of two early career accountants that have been articulated in an interview context. Findings – The approach to narrative analysis set out in this paper could help to clarify how and why certain interpretations from an interview are generated by a researcher. The authors emphasise the importance of discussing a researcher’s process of discovery when an interpretive approach to research is adopted. Research limitations/implications – The application of any method, and what a researcher thinks can be distilled from this, depends on the research outlook he/she has. As the authors adopt an interpretive approach to research in this paper, they acknowledge that the interpretations of narratives, and what they deem to be narratives, will be infused by their own perceptions. Practical implications – The authors believe that the writing-up of qualitative research from an interpretive stance would benefit from an explicit acceptance of the equivocal nature of interpretation. The way in which they present and discuss the narrative analyses in this paper intends to bring this to the fore. Originality/value – Whenever someone says he/she engages in narrative analysis, both the “narrative” and “analysis” part of “narrative analysis” need to be explicated. The authors believe that this only happens every so often. This paper puts forward an approach of how more clarity on this might be achieved by combining two frameworks in the extant literature, so that the transparency of the research is enhanced.

On the Track of Spirituality

The topic of my proposed research is the interpretive approach of workplace spirituality. My ontological and epistemological assumptions were not clear at the beginning of my PhD research, these were shaped and evolved during my work. So in this essay I would invite the Reader for a journey, to let her/him see how I arrived to the interpretative approach of organizational spirituality and how I exactly understand and interpret this approach.

Resumo de dissertações e teses: a estrutura composicional à luz da Análise Textual dos Discursos

This doctoral dissertationproposes the description, interpretation and analysis of the compositional structure of thesis and dissertation abstracts, with regard to the linguistic mechanisms that evidence text zones of different typological sequences, such as those of the text plan. Along these lines, the research problem was developed from the notion of compositional structure (sequences and text plans), as one of the levels or plans of text analysis, according to the theoretical framework proposed by Jean-Michel Adam (2011a). The main objective of this study was to recognize how the compositional structure, of thesis and dissertation abstracts, is achieved, with respect to text units and the global organization of this text category. The hypothesis posed in this research posits that specific informational text composition categories of abstracts are necessary to process the representation of the original text and the way in which it makes its meaning. Subsequently, this study is based on the theoretical and methodological framework of Text Linguistics (TL) and, above all, Textual Discourse Analysis (TDA), as we endeavor to understand the organizational structure of abstracts from both a linguistic and textual perspective. This structure involves the text plan of abstracts, with respect to their communicative purpose, i.e, the sharing of scientific information in its standard textual form. Thus, the development of this study, from a theoretical and methodological perspective, is based on the theoretical and descriptive premises from TDA (ADAM, 2011a, 2012; PASSEGGI et al., 2010), and also from TL (BEAUGRANDE; DRESSLER, (2012 [1981]); COSERIU; LAMAS (2010); MARCUSCHI, 2009 [1983]; FÁVERO; KOCH, 1994;KOCH, 2006; BENTES, 2004; BENTES; LEITE, 2010), within the field of text studies. The methodology of this study relies on empirical, documental research, which is qualitative, and adopts a descriptive and interpretive approach. From the empirical perspective, our objective is to understand the problems pertaining to the textual composition of abstracts, aiming to elucidate them in light of the theoretical and methodological framework previously mentioned. The corpus of the analysis is comprised of seven abstracts designated for systematic data collection. These texts, written between 2004 and 2011,were selected from Master’s theses and Doctoral dissertations in their electronic version, from the graduate program at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. A thorough review of the literature reveals a clear fluctuation in the terminology of the concept, ‘abstract’. The results of the analysis revealed that the abstracts, which comprise the corpus of analysis in this study, in general, present typological heterogeneity, while the text plan remains fixed. Finally, the new knowledge gained in this research contributes both to the understanding of the compositional structure of abstracts as well as their production.

Querido diário: a construção identitária de alunos da EJA em diários pessoais

This study aims to present analyses of our research, documentary type, which investigates the construction of cultural identities of the Youth and Adults Education (Educação de Jovens e Adultos – EJA), level III, in a public school in the city of Natal/RN, through personal diaries produced in the school environment. In a qualitative-interpretive approach, we anchor our identity studies (BAUMAN, 2001, 2005, 2006; HALL, 1987, 1997, 2011, 2012) that bring us the idea that identities are built and rebuilt by social relations that we do. To this end, we start from a conception of language that does not require pre-conceptions because they are based on the utterance itself. Therefore, we have analyzed the utterances produced by these students from the perspective of Bakhtin Circle (BAKHTIN, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2012), which deals with the discursive construction emerging from intersubjective processes of verbal interaction, in a dialogical relationship of the self to the other, by the otherness and the heteroglossia. Moreover, our study is also guided by the guidance on speech genres (BAKHTIN, 2010) and personal journal (LEJEUNE, 2008; MACHADO, 1998, 2009). We join to Applied Linguistics (MOITA LOPES, 2006, 2009) because we believe that this research focuses on a social practice in which language plays a central role and seeks to demonstrate how the speeches of the subject students of EJA, in personal journals, are building tools not only of their identities, but also knowledge and social life of the position that this subject student takes. We conclude this work in a perception of cultural identities that are built by the subject students of EJA, because the results suggest that the identities of these students are fluidly constructed by the representation that the student makes of his or her school, of being student of EJA and how he or she is a student of this educational modality. Thus, through our work, we plan to present another look about the identity or identities of a student of EJA, pointing an insight of this subject.

Contributos da supervisão para a dialógica e o trabalho colaborativo : estudo de um caso

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Santarém para a obtenção do grau de mestre em Ciências da educação - Supervisão e orientação pedagógica

Contributos da supervisão para a dialógica e o trabalho colaborativo : estudo de um caso

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Santarém para a obtenção do grau de mestre em Ciências da educação - Supervisão e orientação pedagógica

Inclusão das pessoas com deficiência na universidade: a efetividade do Programa de Apoio aos Estudantes com Necessidades Especiais (PAENE)

O presente trabalho tem por finalidade investigar e analisar as contribuições das ações vinculadas ao Programa de Apoio aos Estudantes com Necessidades Especiais (PAENE), da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG. O estudo caracteriza-se como qualitativo e documental, de abordagem avaliativa de enfoque interpretativo, realizado por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com 8estudantes com deficiência de diferentes cursos da universidade. As ações do Programa incluem desde o atendimento individual, plantões sociais, reuniões com os bolsistas de acompanhamento e com os alunos com deficiência. Emergiram daanálise das entrevistas as categorias acessibilidade, formação profissional e capacitação docente. Os alunos dizem que o programa é efetivo na universidade, mas ainda precisa ser melhorado. Destacam a importância dos bolsistas e apontam esses como sendo os principais autores da inclusão na universidade. Concluímos que por se tratar de uma demanda nova na Educação Superior, a inclusão vem sendo realizada de maneira lenta e construída com os deficientes que fazem “valer” seus direitos dentro da universidade.

Lanbide heziketako irakasleen prestakuntza konpetentziak garatzeko metodologietan: Ikaskuntza Agertoki Berriak esperientziaren azterketa

[EU]XX. mendearen azken bi hamarkadetatik hona jendartean gertatu diren aldaketek, Lanbide Heziketaren (lan merkatura bideratzeko langileen prestakuntza oinarri duen heziketaren epe gisara ulertuta) planteamendua birpentsatu beharra ekarri dute. Dinamikoa eta aldakorra den jendarte honetan, Lanbide Heziketari bere hezkuntza jardueraren gaineko gogoeta egin beharra suertatu zaio, eta baita zer eta nola irakatsi lanbidea garatzea helburu duten ikasleei bezalako galderei erantzuna eman ere. Ingurumari honetan konpetentzia kontzeptua eta haren inguruko esperientziak eta metodoak garatu dira hala nazioartean nola Euskal Herrian. Master Bukaerako lan honetan Lanbide Heziketan aurrera eraman den irakasleen etengabeko prestakuntza programa baten azterketa egin dugu. Horretarako, berrikuntza eta kalitatea sustatzeko zeregina duen Tknika zentroak zuzendu eta gidatutako Ikaskuntza Agertoki Berriak prestakuntza programan parte hartu duen Tolosaldeko Lanbide Institutua aukeratu dugu, kasu azterketaren ikuspegia erabiliz. Azken xedea, laburki, irakasleei konpetentzietan oinarritutako ikaskuntza aukera didaktikoak eskaini eta haiei buruzko gogoeta egitea da, gero praktikara eraman ditzaten. Gure ikerlanaren helburua, berriz, programa horren asmoak praktikan nola ebazten eta gauzatzen diren ikustea da, prozesuan engaiatuta dauden pertsonen bizipenetatik abiatuta. Hurbilketa kualitatibo eta interpretatibo honetatik lau irakasle elkarrizketatu ditugu eta haien igurikapen, kezka eta bestelakoak jasotzen saiatu gara. Ondorio nagusienak, honakoak: (i) konpetentzien bidezko irakaskuntza-ikaskuntzaren potentziala oso nabarmena dela ikusten dutela elkarrizketatuek, (ii) gogo eta motibazio handia dutela, (iii), ikastetxean, euren egunerokoan, zailtasun eta oztopo andana topatzen dutela, (iv) zailtasunak kasu batzuetan metodologia berari dagozkion arren beste askotan ikasleak eurek ez dutela aldaketarako borondate handirik atzematen da.

Patología andina relacionada al uso de plantas medicinales en los mercados 10 de Agosto, el Arenal y 9 de Octubre, de la Ciudad de Cuenca, 2015

Antecedentes: en Cuenca el uso de plantas medicinales en patologías tradicionales según la cosmovisión andina se mantiene vigente, en los mercados es habitual ver personas que buscan esta medicina, haciendo importante un estudio de la problemática. Objetivo: estudiar las patologías andinas relacionadas al uso de plantas medicinales en los mercados 10 de Agosto, el Arenal y 9 de Octubre de la ciudad de Cuenca. Método: investigación cualitativa, enfoque narrativo e interpretativo, con participación de seis mujeres de sabiduría de los mercados de Cuenca. Las técnicas empleadas: observación directa y entrevistas semi-estructuradas, diario de campo, grabaciones y fotografías. Los datos se procesaron en categorías y diagramas en Atlas.ti, se presentan en narraciones y esquemas. Resultados: las patologías andinas tratadas comúnmente; en el recién nacido, el mal de ojo; lactantes, el espanto; escolares, el shungo; adolescentes y adultos los nervios. Etiologías: estación del año, ambientes desagradables, castigo divino y causas humanas. Sintomatología compromete el estado general: irritabilidad, llanto y decaimiento. Tratamiento: fe cristiana, ritual de limpia y herramientas complementarias. Para la limpia se usa un atado de plantas medicinales, las más utilizadas: chilchil, ruda, eucalipto y flor de guano. Conclusiones: La patología andina tiene leyes y principios propios, las enfermedades mayormente atendidas: el mal de ojo, espanto, mal aire y shungo. Sintomatología es de tipo general. El tratamiento se basa en el ritual con el atado de plantas medicinales y el huevo de gallina. Cada enfermedad se explica en base a una medicina de tipo mágico-religiosa.

Fondamento e limiti costituzionali del potere punitivo nel sistema di legalità integrata

La ricerca affronta la questione della punizione nella prospettiva del diritto costituzionale nazionale integrata con quella del diritto europeo dei diritti dell’uomo. Nella Parte I è sostenuta la tesi secondo cui la trasformazione della Costituzione penale avviata sotto l’influsso della giurisprudenza CEDU rappresenta complessivamente un avanzamento nel processo di costituzionalizzazione del potere punitivo. Questa conclusione è supportata attraverso un confronto della filosofia costituzionale classica sulla punizione con i diversi approcci interpretativi alla Costituzione penale sviluppati durante il XX secolo (approcci tradizionale, costituzionalistico ed EDU). Nella Parte II è invece sostenuta la tesi secondo cui, nonostante gli effetti positivi dell’armonizzazione sovranazionale, lo statuto costituzionale della punizione dovrebbe comunque rimanere formalmente autonomo dal diritto EDU. Non solo, infatti, nessun paradigma dei rapporti interordinamentali finora sviluppato può giustificarne un’integrazione totale, ma essa rischierebbe anche di diminuire la normatività dell’aspetto sociale della Costituzione penale, già ipocostituzionalizzato rispetto a quello liberale. Nella Conclusione sono quindi sviluppati gli elementi fondamentali di un approccio interpretativo alternativo alla Costituzione penale che risponda meglio di quelli esistenti alle esigenze sia di garantire la massima costituzionalizzazione della punizione sia di facilitare l’integrazione sovranazionale. In base a un simile approccio costituzionalmente fondato, sostanzialista, rights-based e inclusivo di tutte le ideologie costituenti, la Costituzione potrebbe essere letta nel senso di prevedere un modello di disciplina unitario per tutte le forme di esercizio del potere punitivo (salvo quello disciplinare, distinguibile sotto l’aspetto istituzionale) caratterizzato da: una riserva di legge a intensità variabile; uno scrutinio stretto della Corte sulla giustificabilità costituzionale della pena; l’estensione dell’ambito di applicazione dei principi di colpevolezza e rieducazione; un pieno sviluppo degli aspetti di garanzia collettiva dei classici principi costituzionalpenalistici (obblighi di tutela penale e garanzia dell’effettiva collocazione della pena in capo al soggetto colpevole), nonché derivabili dall’art. 3 Cost. (proporzionalità della pena alle condizioni materiali del soggetto punito).

Enhanced renewable energy adoption for sustainable development in India:interpretive structural modeling approach

Poverty alleviation and social upliftment of rural India is closely linked with the availability and use of energy for development. At the same time, sustainable supply of clean and affordable renewable energy sources is required if development is to be sustainable, so that it does not cause any environmental problems. The purpose of this paper is to determine the key variables of renewable energy implementation for sustainable development, on which the top management should focus. In this paper, an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) - based approach has been employed to model the implementation variables of renewable energy for sustainable development. These variables have been categorized under ‘enablers’ that help to increase the implementation of renewable energy for sustainable development. A major finding of this research is that public awareness regarding renewable energy for sustainable development is a very significant enabler. In this paper, an interpretation of variables of renewable energy for sustainable development in terms of their driving and dependence powers has been examined. For better results, top management should focus on improving the high-driving power enablers such as leadership, strategic planning, public awareness, top management support, availability of finance, government support, and support from interest groups.

The metaphysics of quantum gravity : a causal approach

The dissertation investigates some relevant metaphysical issues arising in the context of spacetime theories. In particular, the inquiry focuses on general relativity and canonical quantum gravity. A formal definition of spacetime theory is proposed and, against this framework, an analysis of the notions of general covariance, symmetry and background independence is performed. It is argued that many conceptual issues in general relativity and canonical quantum gravity derive from putting excessive emphasis on general covariance as an ontological prin-ciple. An original metaphysical position grounded in scientific essential- ism and causal realism (weak essentialism) is developed and defended. It is argued that, in the context of general relativity, weak essentialism supports spacetime substantivalism. It is also shown that weak essentialism escapes arguments from metaphysical underdetermination by positing a particular kind of causation, dubbed geometric. The proposed interpretive framework is then applied to Bohmian mechanics, pointing out that weak essentialism nicely fits into this theory. In the end, a possible Bohmian implementation of loop quantum gravity is considered, and such a Bohmian approach is interpreted in a geometric causal fashion. Under this interpretation, Bohmian loop quantum gravity straightforwardly commits us to an ontology of elementary extensions of space whose evolution is described by a non-local law. The causal mechanism underlying this evolution clarifies many conceptual issues related to the emergence of classical spacetime from the quantum regime. Although there is as yet no fully worked out physical theory of quantum gravity, it is argued that the proposed approach sets up a standard that proposals for a serious ontology in this field should meet.

Life experiences of elderly with cancer pain: the existential comprehensive approach

OBJECTIVE Understanding the experiences of elderly with cancer pain. METHOD Qualitative research based on Heidegger's phenomenology. 12 elderly cancer patients from a city in northwest Paraná were interviewed from November 2013 to February 2014. RESULTS Analysis performed by vague, median and interpretive understanding which resulted in two ontological themes: Cancer pain: unveiling the imprisonment and impositions experienced by the elderly, and Unveiling the anguish of living with cancer pain; it revealed not only how the elderly experience pain in their daily lives, but also how hard it is to live with its particularities. CONCLUSION Cancer pain has biopsychosocial repercussions for the elderly, generating changes in their existence in the world, requiring holistic and authentic care.