PhD Research Proposal Presentation: Hanieh Mohammadi

Ms. Hanieh Mohammadi, a doctoral student at McGill University in the area of Strategy and Organization will be presenting her research proposal entitled:

Unleashing Spontaneity for Innovation in Cross-Occupational Teams

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 1:30pm – 3:30pm

(The presentation will be done in hybrid mode)

Student Committee Co-chairs: Professor Henry Mintzberg and Professor Paola Perez-Aleman

Please note that the presentation will be conducted in hybrid mode and only the student and committee members may participate.

ABSTRACT

This research proposal delves into the complex interplay between cross-occupational teams and organizational structures, examining their profound impact on innovation. In modern work environments characterized by diverse team compositions that frequently span various organizational and structural boundaries, it is crucial to understand the emergent structures that either foster or impede innovation. This interaction, especially prevalent in dynamic sectors, involves teams that operate across both formal and informal organizational frameworks. Despite the significance of these dynamics, current academic research only lightly touches upon how these emergent structures, born from the confluence of team dynamics and organizational frameworks, serve as catalysts or barriers to innovation.

This study employs ethnographic methodologies to delve into two distinct organizational settings, using in-depth data collection methods including participant observations and semi-structured interviews. The first case focuses on a tech startup where shifts to remote work influence managerial conflict resolution practices. Over 18 months, the study meticulously documents 52 conflict scenarios, analyzing how changes in communication and decision-making processes impact collaboration among teams with varying expertise. The findings highlight that the shift to remote work can challenge managers' roles, leading to increased formalization that may exacerbate conflicts and disrupt innovation.

The second case involves a government agency, applying an extended three-year ethnographic study to investigate 'Structural Elasticity'—a concept describing the adaptation of bureaucratic structures to foster innovation without compromising the stability of the original system. This study explores the implementation of protocol scaffolds, informal information pipelines, and neutral ownership practices that facilitate flexibility within rigid frameworks. The method includes participant observation, interviews, and document analysis, capturing how these strategies enable innovation across departments with diverse objectives.

The culmination of this research involves a comparative analysis of studies examining how cross-occupational teams interact with various organizational structures to influence innovation. This analysis will not only highlight differences and similarities between informal and formal settings but also offer insights into managing structural dynamics to optimize innovation across organizational types. Through this comparison, the research introduces "Structural Serendipity," identifying and outlining its dimensions based on team-organization interactions. Subsequently, the research categorizes different types of "Structural Serendipity," offering a framework for understanding how organizations can strategically manage these dynamics to enhance their innovative capacities, providing both theoretical insights and practical guidance.