Organizational Science
Online ISSN : 2187-932X
Print ISSN : 0286-9713
ISSN-L : 0286-9713
Volume 49, Issue 1
Displaying 1-6 of 6 articles from this issue
ARTICLES FOR THE SPECIAL ISSUE
ARTICLES
  • Yuichi Matsumoto
    2015 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages 53-65
    Published: September 20, 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: June 29, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    This article discusses the interaction between communities of practice (CoPs). Firstly, the article reviews prior studies on CoPs to integrate several CoPs concepts. Secondly, it clarifies the functions of CoPs as follows: learning inside the community, learning outside the community, circular learning, and multifaceted learning. In addition, the article focuses on the multilayered structure among CoPs and examines its influences on learning.
    A research was conducted in an educational company, using case studies of teachers’ learning behaviors. A focus is placed on the members between CoPs; these members operate their own communities, while participating in other communities to learn skills and enhance knowledge about managing classrooms as CoPs. The research results show that other communities—which are not CoPs but related to them—influence teachers’ classrooms. The results suggest two types of multilayered structures among CoPs: “Periodical-Mastery” and “Event-Exchange.” Lastly, the article presents some implications of the interaction between CoPs and learning.
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  • A Case Study of Developing Digital Multifunction Printer
    Mie Maekawa
    2015 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages 66-80
    Published: September 20, 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: June 29, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Developing multiple products requires effective management of interacting multiple projects. This paper investigates effective process of organizational coordination among multiple projects from the product architecture viewpoint. The study is based on a case of developing digital multifunction printers. The empirical study suggests that there exist a suitable process of organizational coordination depending upon type of the product architecture. If the product architecture is integral, coordination based on authoritative manager’s decisions is suitable. If the product architecture is modular, on the other hand, negotiation among project representatives is suitable. This result suggests that it is important to incorporate an aspect of product architecture into the discussion of multi-project management. In addition, the paper demonstrates an effective management process in a case where both type of product architecture coexist in a product.
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