From actions to paths to patterning: Toward a dynamic theory of patterning in routines
This paper demonstrates a new way of seeing and theorizing about the dynamics of organizational routines through the concept of paths – time-ordered sequences of actions or events in performing work. Empirically and conceptually, paths provide the missing link between specific actions and patterns o...
Saved in:
Main Authors: | , |
---|---|
Format: | text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University
2019
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/6400 https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/7399/viewcontent/fromactions.pdf |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Institution: | Singapore Management University |
Language: | English |
id |
sg-smu-ink.lkcsb_research-7399 |
---|---|
record_format |
dspace |
spelling |
sg-smu-ink.lkcsb_research-73992022-08-11T04:54:18Z From actions to paths to patterning: Toward a dynamic theory of patterning in routines GOH, Kenneth T. PENTLAND, Brian T. This paper demonstrates a new way of seeing and theorizing about the dynamics of organizational routines through the concept of paths – time-ordered sequences of actions or events in performing work. Empirically and conceptually, paths provide the missing link between specific actions and patterns of action. When routines are represented as a narrative network, tracing the formation and dissolution of action paths can generate new insights about the dynamic patterning of actions in routine performances. We traced action paths using longitudinal field data from a videogame development project and found that action patterns change dramatically over time based on the needs of the project. We explain these changes in terms of generic mechanisms that lead to the enactment of more (or fewer) paths in the narrative network. We propose that patterning can be seen as a new motor of routine dynamics and discuss generic mechanisms through which patterning can influence narrative network structure. 2019-12-01T08:00:00Z text application/pdf https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/6400 info:doi/10.5465/amj.2018.0042 https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/7399/viewcontent/fromactions.pdf http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business eng Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Routine dynamics narrative network network paths task complexity process research Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Strategic Management Policy |
institution |
Singapore Management University |
building |
SMU Libraries |
continent |
Asia |
country |
Singapore Singapore |
content_provider |
SMU Libraries |
collection |
InK@SMU |
language |
English |
topic |
Routine dynamics narrative network network paths task complexity process research Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Strategic Management Policy |
spellingShingle |
Routine dynamics narrative network network paths task complexity process research Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Strategic Management Policy GOH, Kenneth T. PENTLAND, Brian T. From actions to paths to patterning: Toward a dynamic theory of patterning in routines |
description |
This paper demonstrates a new way of seeing and theorizing about the dynamics of organizational routines through the concept of paths – time-ordered sequences of actions or events in performing work. Empirically and conceptually, paths provide the missing link between specific actions and patterns of action. When routines are represented as a narrative network, tracing the formation and dissolution of action paths can generate new insights about the dynamic patterning of actions in routine performances. We traced action paths using longitudinal field data from a videogame development project and found that action patterns change dramatically over time based on the needs of the project. We explain these changes in terms of generic mechanisms that lead to the enactment of more (or fewer) paths in the narrative network. We propose that patterning can be seen as a new motor of routine dynamics and discuss generic mechanisms through which patterning can influence narrative network structure. |
format |
text |
author |
GOH, Kenneth T. PENTLAND, Brian T. |
author_facet |
GOH, Kenneth T. PENTLAND, Brian T. |
author_sort |
GOH, Kenneth T. |
title |
From actions to paths to patterning: Toward a dynamic theory of patterning in routines |
title_short |
From actions to paths to patterning: Toward a dynamic theory of patterning in routines |
title_full |
From actions to paths to patterning: Toward a dynamic theory of patterning in routines |
title_fullStr |
From actions to paths to patterning: Toward a dynamic theory of patterning in routines |
title_full_unstemmed |
From actions to paths to patterning: Toward a dynamic theory of patterning in routines |
title_sort |
from actions to paths to patterning: toward a dynamic theory of patterning in routines |
publisher |
Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University |
publishDate |
2019 |
url |
https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/6400 https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/7399/viewcontent/fromactions.pdf |
_version_ |
1770574763036508160 |