to stimulate the next wave of research on organization learning. It provides a conceptual framework for research on the differences and similarities of learning by individuals, groups, and organizations.

Abstract not found

This work analyzes the central role of interpretation in non-routine design. Based on this analysis, a theory of computer support for interpretation in cooperative design is constructed. The theory is grounded in studies of design and interpretation. It is illustrated by mechanisms provided by a software substrate for computer-based design environments, applied to a sample task of lunar habitat design. Computer support of

This chapter discusses a core phenomenon for a theory of CSCL: building collaborative knowing. Rather than reviewing, one after another, various theories that are currently influential in the field of CSCL (and that are described in other chapters), a view of collaboration is outlined here that

This article describes a theory of the computations underlying the selection of coordinated motion patterns, especially in reaching tasks. The central idea is that when a spatial target is selected as an object to be reached, stored postures are evaluated for the contributions they can make to the task. Weights are assigned to the stored postures, and a single target posture is found by taking a weighted sum of the stored postures. Movement is achieved by reducing the distance between the starting angle and target angle of each joint. The model explains compensation for reduced joint mobility, tool use, practice effects, performance errors, and aspects of movement kinematics. Extensions of the model can account for anticipation and coarticulation effects, movement through via points, and hierarchical control of series of movements. The goal of this research is a unified theory of the planning and control of physical action. Such a theory, as several authors have noted (Jeannerod, in press; Rosenbaum, 1991; Wing, 1993), has been lacking. Instead, specialized models have been designed to account for data from different tasks. The sentiment

This paper discusses the role of interpretation in innovative design and proposes an approach to providing computer support for interpretation in design. According to situated cognition theory, most of a designer’s knowledge is normally tacit. Situated interpretation is the process of explicating something that is tacitly understood, within its larger context. The centrality of interpretation to non-routine design is demonstrated by: a review of the design methodology of Alexander, Rittel, and Schön; a protocol analysis of a lunar habitat design session; and a summary of Heidegger’s philosophy of interpretation. These show that the designer’s articulation of tacit knowledge takes place on the basis of an understanding of the design situation, a focus from a particular perspective, and a shared language. As knowledge is made explicit through the interpretive processes of design it can be captured for use in computer-based design support systems. A prototype software system is described for representing design situations, interpretive perspectives, and domain terminology to support interpretation by designers. The Need for Computer Support The volume of information available to people is increasing rapidly. For many professionals this means that the execution of their jobs requires taking into account far more information than they can possibly keep in mind. Consider the lunar habitat designers who serve as a key example in this paper. In working on their high-tech design tasks, they must take into account architectural knowledge, ergonomics, space science, NASA regulations, and lessons learned in past missions. Computers seem necessary to store these

Although a variety of so-called psychic phenomena have attractmi num's attonfion throughout recorded history, omfized scholarly effort to such ffla is just oae century old, and stemattc aced, role ratch toughly half that a. Over cent year, a sizeable spectrum 0f tdence ha in Inouht festh from teputsble laboratories in smnal diipllnes to sut that at times human conseionsness can acquire ifonalio inacceble by shy Iraown physical mechanism (ESF), and am ifiueuc, the hahavioz of phydcd ym o pmce (P!O, but even the moat fiZoom and isticated of the studi ible in the strict ,ckMific ene, but the anomalom yieid at well ,'beyond chance expectatiom and a number of common featu thread threuh the bmod m ofmpet effec afiom attempts at theoret- inalion of th ro/e of cammle in the dolorruination of phydcal lality. Furthz cazful study of thia formidable field aeem jtif'md, but only wigfin the context of vezy well conceived and technically im- t*lic tO the portlnt a#thatic factorz, and with more cottatractive involvement the eriticd community.

Physical theories have come to be the epitome of models for all levels of complexity, including living organizations, even though these theories are observer-independent and the observables in physical theories are relatively simple compared with those of biological and social models. In spite of this relative simplicity of observables, experimental physicists must spend most of their efforts designing and constructing complex devices to ground these observables by measurements. Theoretical physicists also invent non-observable constructs, and spend much of their efforts formalizing these imaginative constructs in syntactically unanbiguous mathematical laws. For different levels of organization physicists choose different observables and laws, but at all levels the structure of physical theories sharply separates the observables from the constructs, and the measurement of observables from the computation of laws. Biological and social models are generally not observer-independent, nor do they separate their observables and constructs so clearly. I discuss the inadequacy of the physical model paradigm for modeling organizations that are complex enough to themselves be observers and modelers of their world. I explain why concurrent, distributed networks now used to model cognitive activity are a more appropriate paradigm for strongly interconnected, observer-dependent living organizations.

We propose a theoretical reference framework for a Knowledge Management (KM) Information Technology (IT) system in organizations. We take a holistic perspective on KM and derive the required features for the framework from KM-related research in psychology, business management and computer science. We propose classifications of organizational knowledge and knowledge entities (sets of people) either within an organization or associated with it. The framework comprises the derived features for the derived knowledge classes and knowledge entities. We motivate why agent technology is suitable for implementation of the framework.

In the information age, lifelong learning and collaboration are essential aspects of most innovative work. Fortunately, the computer technology which drives the information explosion also has the potential to help individuals and teams to learn much of what they need to know on demand. In particular, computer-based systems on the Internet can be designed to capture knowledge as it is generated within a community of practice and to deliver relevant knowledge when it is useful. Computer-based design environments for skilled domain workers have recently graduated from research prototypes to commercial products, supporting the learning of individual designers. Such systems do not, however, adequately support the collaborative nature of work or the evolution of knowledge within communities of practice. If innovation is to be supported within collaborative efforts, these domain-oriented design environments (DODEs) must be extended to become collaborative information environments (CIEs), capable of providing effective community memories for managing information and learning within