Engineering interaction: Structural change,locus of identification,and the formation and maintenance of cross-unit ties

Cross-unit ties–relationships that facilitate discretionary information sharing between individuals from different business units–offer a range of organizational benefits. Scholars argue that organizations can promote cross-unit ties by: (a) formally bringing together individuals from different business units into structural links (e.g., cross-unit strategic committees) to encourage the formation of new cross unit ties and, (b) transferring individuals across units, which can increase cross-unit interaction when ties to the prior unit are maintained. This study considers the notion that the success of these formal interventions in fostering cross-unit interaction is contingent on identification with the local unit relative to identification with the broader organization. Specifically, we propose that structural links are more likely to foster cross-unit ties when organizational identification is high and unit identification is low. In contrast, lateral transfers are more likely to result in cross-unit ties when both organizational identification and unit identification are high. We find general support for these propositions in data obtained from a sample of senior leaders of a Fortune 200 agribusiness company before and after a restructuring designed to stimulate cross-unit information sharing. Our model and results make important contributions to our understanding of the relationship between formal and informal structure and reconcile conflicting views regarding the moderating effect of unit identification on intergroup relations.     

Experimental social innovation and client-centered job-seeking programs

The complexity of most social problems and a growing human services shortfall dictate that we reevaluate our approach to planned social change. Simplistic one-shot evaluations of social interventions are unlikely to yield the kind of information that will help us identify true social innovations, understand and refine their instrumental processes, and thereby optimize their effects. However, incremental progress in these areas is possible through the pursuit of ESI or other systematic and rigorous approaches to outcome research.     

Septal driving of the hippocampal theta rhythm produces a long-term, proactive and non-associative increase in resistance to extinction

Previous experiments employing electrical or pharmacological induction, or instrumental reinforcement, of hippocampal theta rhythm in rats have reported subsequent performance changes in a number of learning situations. In all these studies theta induction took place either concurrent with or following the behaviour under investigation. In the present two experiments, a treatment phase of electrically-induced hippocampal theta (by septal stimulation at 7·7 Hz) preceded acquisition of a discrete trial, barpress response on a fixed ratio 5 reinforcement schedule. In one of three treatment conditions animals received electrical stimulation (1) on its own, or (2) in a classical conditioning relationship with food delivery as unconditioned stimulus, or (3) temporally uncorrelated with food delivery; controls were implanted with electrodes but not stimulated. After 15 days' acquisition of barpressing, all animals were extinguished over the subsequent 12 days. Results indicated that theta-driving stimulation, independent of any association with food, resulted in increased resistance to extinction of barpressing. In addition, conditions (1) and (3) enhanced the speed of response during early acquisition. These findings cast doubt on a “memory consolidation” hypothesis of hippocampal theta function and demonstrate a non-associative, long-lasting, proactive effect of theta induction on behaviour.     

Brain Systems that Mediate both Emotion and Cognition

Abstract

Neurobiological research with animals strongly suggests that the brain systems which mediate emotion overlap with those that mediate cognition to such a degree that it is difficult, if not impossible, to maintain any clear distinction between them. Possible reasons for this overlap are discussed; and a model of brain systems that simultaneously subserve emotion and cognition is presented. The model postulates the existence of three fundamental systems of this kind in the mammalian brain: a behavioural approach system, a fight/flight system, and a behavioural inhibition system. The neuropsychology of each of these systems is briefly presented.     

The Nature and Processing of Errors in Interactive Behavior

Understanding the nature of errors in a simple, rule‐based task—programming a VCR—required analyzing the interactions among human cognition, the artifact, and the task. This analysis was guided by least‐effort principles and yielded a control structure that combined a rule hierarchy task‐to‐device with display‐based difference‐reduction. A model based on this analysis was used to trace action protocols collected from participants as they programmed a simulated VCR. Trials that ended without success (the show was not correctly programmed) were interrogated to yield insights regarding problems in acquiring the control structure. For successful trials (the show was correctly programmed), steps that the model would make were categorized as matches to the model; steps that the model would not make were violations of the model. The model was able to trace the vast majority of correct keystrokes and yielded a business‐as‐usual account of the detection and correction of errors. Violations of the model fell into one of two fundamental categories. The model provided insights into certain subcategories of errors; whereas, regularities within other subcategories of error suggested limitations to the model. Although errors were rare when compared to the total number of correct actions, they were important. Errors were made on 4% of the keypresses that, if not detected, would have prevented two‐thirds of the shows from being successfully recorded. A misprogrammed show is a minor annoyance to the user. However, devices with the approximate complexity of a VCR are ubiquitous and have found their way into emergency rooms, airplane cockpits, power plants, and so on. Errors of ignorance may be reduced by training; however, errors in the routine performance of skilled users can only be reduced by design.