Ignacio J. Martinez-Moyano
Research Interests
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My research interests include:
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Ignacio J. Martínez-Moyano
Statement of Research Interests and Current Research
135 Western Ave.
Rockefeller College Milne Hall 318
Albany, NY 12222
Email: im7797@albany.edu
Web Page: http://www.albany.edu/~im7797/
Office phone/fax: (518) 442-3859 / (518) 442-5298
Theoretical and Methodological
My research explores the way in which rules change over time. The main theoretical
element that I explore is the changing nature of control structures in organizations.
By looking at the system of rules as a proxy for structure, and by recognizing
its dynamic nature, I want to investigate to explain phenomena that is consider
to be puzzling or even controversial using the traditional assumptions of
static structures and unchanging regulatory frameworks. In general, when a
study addresses the influence of the regulatory structure on performance,
the influence of performance on the framework itself is overlooked or dismissed
altogether based on the static framework assumption.
In order to study dynamic phenomenon, I use as a primary lens system dynamics
concepts and methods. The use of a formal dynamic modeling technique makes
sense when one is trying to understand the dynamic nature of certain phenomenon,
especially when the study relates to the overarching structure of rules that
condition the action that takes place in organizations. System-dynamics modeling
provides a way to explore feedback-rich systems in which the nature of the
relationships among the elements creates circular causality. System dynamics
allows the researcher to investigate the effect of changes in one variable
on other variables over time. System dynamics is a computer-aided approach
to policy analysis and design that applies to dynamic problems arising in
complex social, managerial, economic, or ecological systems. Dynamic systems
are characterized by interdependence, mutual interaction, information feedback,
and circular causality.
Additionally, I am interested in the use of social judgment theory and social
network theory as complements of the system dynamics approach especially in
cases that individual judgment practices can be highly influential and in
cases where the network effects and characteristics can have a great deal
of influence on the dynamics of the system. Studying at the University at
Albany I have had the opportunity to interact with world-recognized faculty
in these areas-system dynamics and social judgment theory-and faculty with
a great deal of experience using social network theory in their research.
Specifically, I am interested in exploring the interconnections among the
three methods in order to get the best possible approach to understand large
complex systems behavior.
Topical Interests
My research has been centered on elements that are related to the way in
which organizations in general, and public organizations in specific, deal
with change over time. Specifically looking at best practices identification,
measuring and managing performance, and rule-following preferences and compliance
of individuals in organizations. I have discovered three main ways to try
to understand change that can inform managers on specific things to do, and
pay attention to, while dealing with their day-to-day activities in order
to improve their operations in the long run. Understanding the dynamics of
rules can shed light in performance improvement, accountability, and governance
in both public and private organizations.
First, an expertise-based approach can be taken to improve operations and
actions in organizations. Experts, even with all the difficulties that arise
from identifying them and eliciting knowledge from them, are key suppliers
of improvement capacity in organizations. Experts can be seen as sources-and
repositories-of organizational knowledge, just as systems of rules are. By
identifying experts and disseminating their knowledge via organizational rules
and routines, I argue that democratization of knowledge can take place. As
many scholars argue, knowledge is not a democratic phenomenon: some people
have it and some people do not. That is the nature of knowledge. However,
when captured and disseminated in systems of rules and norms of activity,
selectivity is avoided and the benefits of knowledge to everyone in the company-or
the society-is achieved. The question of how people use distributed knowledge
remains though.
Second, a learning-based approach can be taken to improve operations in organizations.
This second approach acknowledges the process of acquiring the necessary knowledge
and how, through that process, expertise can arise over time. In organizations,
public or private, one can start with a group of experts with the necessary
knowledge to operate, or by establishing a process to accumulate that knowledge
over time. By understanding the nature of learning in systems of rules and
its possible influences on their dynamics, I am trying to explore alternative
mechanisms that can determine the specific shape of the regulatory systems
over time.
Third, a compliance-based approach to improvement identifies the reality of
the use of rules in organizations after experts and/or learning processes
and/or both have influenced the way in which rules and norms in organizations
exist. Individuals in organizations confront in their day-to-day activities
rules that condition the possible actions that they can take in order to accomplish
the goals that they have, either self- or externally-imposed. By understanding
the dynamics of conformity to systems of rules I argue that one can learn
about the legitimacy-in-action of the specific system and also about its probability
of change over time. The higher the incidence of violations, the higher the
probability of action being taken by management-either to enforce the rules,
change the mix of individuals in the organization, or change the system of
rules in order to improve the control system.
These three approaches-expert-based approach, learning-based approach, and
compliance-based approach-blend a positivist view of the sources of change
with a social-constructivist view of the sources of pressure for change in
systems of rules in organizations. They deal with a broad range of questions
from what is a good rule, to how can you learn about the effectiveness of
rules, to what is it that people actually do with rules in organizations.
Current Research
Currently I am researching the dynamics of security of critical infrastructure
with an emphasis on information security. I am researching this area as an
extension to my dissertation research exploring the influence of pressures
to produce and pressures to comply with regulation that information workers
are subject to on a daily basis and that condition their behavioral responses
to threat levels and security practices. In this research, I am collaborating
with several scholars and institutions part of the Security Dynamics Network.
Some of the participants of the network are the University at Albany, the
Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, Syracuse University,
Agder University College of Norway, Sandia National Laboratories, and the
University of Navarra. I am part of the system dynamics team from the University
at Albany working on the project.
Additionally, I am researching the influence of systems of rules and regulatory
regimes in the evolution of e-government. I am working on the development
of a behavioral theory of the evolution of e-government as a result of pressures
from the administrative apparatus of government and from citizens' expectations
that promote change in the system of rules governing its design and use. The
theory predicts that e-government initiatives in the aggregate will evolve
from national level to local level, changing from self-imposed initiatives
searching for solutions (administration), to democratically imposed requirements
by citizens and their representatives (politics).
Rockefeller College, University at Albany, Albany , New York 135 Western Avenue, Milne Hall 318, Albany, NY 12222 Tel. (518) 442-3859
Last updated: Friday, December 10, 2004 17:08 in New York, USA
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© Ignacio J. Martinez 2001, 2002, 2003
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