Search for: All records

We use evidence from a disruption of clinical documentation routines to propose a novel, predictive mechanism for routine dynamics based on path coherence. Path coherence refers to the continuity of situational attributes from one event to the next along a path, for example, a set of activities conducted by the same person has high actor coherence. Situational attributes include classic descriptors such as who, what, when, where, and why. To be recognized as a path, a minimal level of coherence is required, but path coherence can vary along a path. For example, in a medical clinic, typical paths flow from place to place (e.g., reception, waiting room, exam room) and involve different clinical staff (e.g., receptionist, nurse, physician). Using latent factor network models, we compare clinical documentation routines in five outpatient clinics before and after a technological disruption (an upgrade to the electronic health record system). We show that coherent paths are up to 14 times more likely to persist and up to 40 times more likely to form than less coherent paths. We use these findings to theorize about the role of path coherence in routine dynamics. Path coherence in narrative networks is like homophily in social networks, but with a completely different underlying mechanism. We discuss the implications of our findings for organizational path dependence, resilience, and inertia. Funding: This research was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grants SES-1734237 and BCS-2120530]. This research was also supported in part by the University of Rochester CTSA [Grant UL1 TR002001] from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

Abstract Rapid increases in meat trade generate complex global networks across countries. However, there has been little research quantifying the dynamics of meat trade networks and the underlying forces that structure them. Using longitudinal network data for 134 countries from 1995 to 2015, we combined network modeling and cluster analysis to simultaneously identify the structural changes in meat trade networks and the factors that influence the networks themselves. The integrated network approach uncovers a general consolidation of global meat trade networks over time, although some global events may have weakened this consolidation both regionally and globally. In consolidated networks, the presence of trade agreements and short geographic distances between pairs of countries are associated with increases in meat trade. Countries with rapid population and income growth greatly depend on meat imports. Furthermore, countries with high food availability import large quantities of meat products to satisfy their various meat preferences. The findings from this network approach provide key insights that can be used to better understand the social and environmental consequences of increasing global meat trade. 

Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) project teams adopt different methods to facilitate collaboration to achieve sustainability goals, which requires a high level of expertise integration. Tracking expertise flows in interdisciplinary and inter-organizational project networks is challenging because of the unique project nature, fluid expertise boundaries, and varying project requirements. It can be even more difficult considering sustainability outcomes, due to the need for high-level expertise integration. Social network approach addresses the integration and information flow dynamics. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding what network characteristics are favorable for improved sustainability outcomes in AEC projects, how they evolve during delivery, and how relevant expertise flows through project networks. To respond to the need in the literature, this study aims to develop a holistic understanding of AEC project team networks and associated characteristics that allow experts to exchange knowledge to optimize sustainability outcomes for built environment projects. We longitudinally collected e-mail exchange, observational, and archival data during the design phase of an AEC case study project and performed Social Network Analysis (SNA) bolstered by mixed methods. Results suggest that network topology matters for AEC project teams. In other words, understanding the interactions between components of a network (e.g., expertise areas represented and distributed in the network and the number of boundary spanners) is as important as the network parameters for better sustainability outcomes. 

Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) project team networks frequently increase the density of information sharing ties to improve team performance. However, increased density might not result in team members receiving adequate in-formation to collaborate towards common goals. There is a need to examine how net-work ties should be set up to manage information flows. Thus, the research goal is to explore the features of information sharing networks and their relationship with team performance in AEC projects. To achieve this goal, we collected communication data from an AEC project team with 179 members involved in total during the schematic design phase. Then, we performed social network analysis using Gephi and UCINET software. Results suggest that AEC project team networks are dynamic and adopt a core-periphery structure to share information early in project delivery. Including civil and mechanical subcontractors into the core subnetwork to collaborate with owners, designers, and general contractors can improve team performance. The study’s contribution to the body of knowledge is expanding our understanding of the characteristics and evolution of information sharing networks in AEC projects for optimized team performance.