Reziprozität in interorganisationalen Austauschbeziehungen – eine Typologisierung

Zusammenfassung KMU (kleinere und mittlere Unternehmen) sind zur Beschaffung von Ressourcen, welche sie innerhalb ihrer Unternehmensgrenzen nicht herstellen können, auf Austauschbeziehungen außerhalb ihrer Grenzen angewiesen. Interorganisationale Austauschbeziehungen beruhen auf reziproken Verhaltensweisen beteiligter Akteure. Reziprozität im sozialen Austausch wird als Gegenseitigkeit beschrieben. In der Literatur zeigt sich jedoch eine inkonsistente Verwendung des Konzepts. Diese Inkonsistenz soll im vorliegenden Beitrag systematisch aufgelöst werden. Mittels einer State-of-the-Art-Arbeit werden Reziprozitätstypen aus der Literatur empirisch induktiv abstrahiert und deren Definitionsansätze zu Dimensionen und Ausprägungen verdichtet. Daraus wird ein morphologischer Kasten erstellt, welcher die aus der Literatur abgeleiteten Reziprozitätstypen anhand ihrer Dimensionsausprägungen zu drei Grundtypen zusammenfasst und so die begrifflichen Ungenauigkeiten auflöst. Abstract SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) are dependent on exchange relations beyond their borders for positioning themselves in the market to obtain resources, which they cannot produce within their company boundaries. Inter-organizational exchange relations are based on the reciprocal behaviour of the actors involved. Reciprocal behaviour in social exchange is described as reciprocity. However, in the literature, the concept appears to be used inconsistently. This present paper attempts to systematically solve this inconsistency problem. By means of a state-of-the-art work, reciprocity types from the literature are empirically and inductively abstracted and their definition approaches are condensed into dimensions and characteristics. From this, a morphological box is created, which condenses the reciprocity types from the literature by their dimensions into three basic types and subsequently helps to clear up the predominant conceptual inaccuracy.

Entdecken und Entwickeln von Praxiswissen mit PATONGO-Storm

Summary An important factor for individual and organizational learning is the identification and the sharing of practical experience. This article presents PATONGO-Storm, a process and an e-Learning tool for supporting workshops that initiate cross-organizational exchange of practical knowledge. The tool collects and relates experiences and challenges. Practitioners with related contributions are then brought into a discourse where they develop solutions for relevant challenges. The approach was validated in the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) where it showed first positive effects.

Communicating Environmental Information on a Company and Inter-Organizational Level

The collection, managing and communication of environmental information are nowadays seen as an essential prerequisite for sustainable development. However, ways of generating and exchanging environmental information differ within and between companies. Moreover, the use of highly sophisticated environmental information systems can still be seen at in its infancy. The aim of this chapter is thus to assess ways of the application of environmental information systems for sustainable development, both within and between organizations, can be supported. An empirical analysis of those barriers and obstacles, which inhibit the implementation of environmental information systems, is also carried out. Additionally, we also pay attention to forms of industry wide environmental protection, and take existing cooperation and relationships, sustainable supply chains, and recycling networks into account. For this purpose, basic conditions for the inter-organizational exchange of environmental information are investigated. This provides the basis for identifying means to strengthen the position of environmental protection in connection with inter-organizational exchange of environmental information. Improved methods of implementing environmental information systems within and between companies are developed, thus promoting greater cooperation for sustainable development.

ADVANCING A TYPOLOGY OF OPEN INNOVATION

Interest in the concept of open innovation (OI) has increased during recent years; yet, this line of inquiry remains limited due to the lack of a more comprehensive conceptual framework. As a first step toward a unifying framework, we provide a critical review of previous research on the conceptualization, antecedents, and consequences of OI. We then offer a typology describing four OI strategies: (i) innovation seeker, (ii) innovation provider, (iii) intermediary, and (iv) open innovator, which emerge through unique combinations of sources of innovation, firm attributes, and mechanisms of inter-organizational exchange, and produce varying outcomes. Finally, we discuss our typology's implications for theory and practice, and advance potential research avenues.

Communicating Environmental Information on a Company and Inter-Organizational Level

The collection, managing and communication of environmental information are nowadays seen as an essential prerequisite for sustainable development. However, ways of generating and exchanging environmental information differ within and between companies. Moreover, the use of highly sophisticated environmental information systems can still be seen at in its infancy. The aim of this chapter is thus to assess ways of the application of environmental information systems for sustainable development, both within and between organizations, can be supported. An empirical analysis of those barriers and obstacles, which inhibit the implementation of environmental information systems, is also carried out. Additionally, we also pay attention to forms of industry wide environmental protection, and take existing cooperation and relationships, sustainable supply chains, and recycling networks into account. For this purpose, basic conditions for the inter-organizational exchange of environmental information are investigated. This provides the basis for identifying means to strengthen the position of environmental protection in connection with inter-organizational exchange of environmental information. Improved methods of implementing environmental information systems within and between companies are developed, thus promoting greater cooperation for sustainable development.