The PI will investigate an ongoing innovation project at Xerox Corporation's Palo Alto Research Center. The innovation is "Workspace," which integrates computers, monitors, cameras, and other media. This innovation allows ad hoc groups to be formed even if the members of the group are situated in different geographical locations. The research program will concern factors that may inhibit or facilitate innovation. First, what organizational forms are conducive to innovation? Second, is there a benefit of organizational forms that allow individuals to address issues that concern social and ethical values? The PIs will use a variety of data sources in order to test their hypotheses concerning the innovation process. These sources include company documentation, ethnographic data, and a "field stimulation" approach in which discussions are used to examine participants' reactions to various aspects of the innovation process. / / ! ! F / / ( Times New Roman Symbol & Arial ` " h e e A abstract of Cood SBR-9320927 Hal Arkes Hal Arkes
