Theoretical Mechanisms
Self-selection
Traditionally, one of the most important functions of formal authority is to provide incentives and align individual interests. In collaborative organizing, however, this function of formal authority is replaced or at least complemented by self-selection based on intrinsic motivations and realignment of preferences.
Späth, S., von Krogh, G., & *He, F. (2015) Perceived firm attributes and intrinsic motivation in sponsored OSS projects. Information Systems Research, 26(1), 224-237. (*Equal contribution)
Wedl, C., Ben-Menahem, S., He, V. F., & von Krogh, G. (2018) What is innovation anyway? Creation of coercive and formal control for innovation processes. Academy of Management Annual Meeting Best Paper Proceeding.
Wedl, C., Ben-Menahem, S., He, V. F., & von Krogh, G. How does control enable innovation? The coevolution of formal control and innovation strategy. 1st R&R in Administrative Science Quarterly.
Tinguely, P., Ben-Menahem, S., He, V. F., & von Krogh, G. Employee creativity under time pressure. Under review in Journal of Applied Psychology.
He, V. F., Sirén, C., Jonassen, Z., Wesemann, H., von Krogh, G. & Grichnik, D. (2020) The lasting effect of idea framing on idea development and nascent venture team survival. Working paper [Nominated for the SMS Best Conference Paper Award, Berkeley, 2020]
Tinguely, P., He, V. F., Ben-Menahem, S., & von Krogh, G. (2020) The relation between mentor-protégé LMX disagreement and protégés’ turnover intentions. Working paper [Won the AoM OB Division Best Dissertation-Based Paper Award, Vancouver, 2020]
Learning
An equally important function of formal authority in traditional organizations is the provision of superior information. In many post-bureaucratic organizations, “bosses” are no longer the most knowledgeable by virtue of their hierarchical positions. I explore learning as the mechanism to overcome information asymmetry.
*He, V. F. & Krähenmann, G. (Not) Learning from failure? The heavy toll of stigma on entrepreneurs. Forthcoming in Todt, Backmann, & Weiss (Eds.) Work Life after Failure. Emerald Publishing. (*Equal contribution)
Sirén, C., He, V. F., Wesemann, H., Jonassen, Z., Grichnik, D., & von Krogh, G. (2020) Leader emergence in nascent venture teams: The interplay between individual emotion regulation and team emotions. Journal of Management Studies, 57(5), 931-961.
He, V. F., Sirén, C., Singh, S., Solomon, G. T., & von Krogh, G. (2018) Keep calm and carry on: Emotion regulation in entrepreneurs’ learning from failure. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 42(4), 605-630.
He, V. F., Sirén, C., Singh, S., & Solomon, G. T. (2012) Why do some entrepreneurs fail forward (while others do not)? A moderated mediation model of entrepreneurial learning, emotional intelligence, and goal orientation. International Council for Small Business World Conference Best Paper Proceeding.
He, V. F., Sirén, C., Wesemann, H., Grichnik, D., & Wincent J. TMT learning asymmetry and firm innovation strategy: How powerful is CEO power? 2nd R&R in Journal of Management.
Conflict management
The existence of goal asymmetry and/or information asymmetry makes conflict inevitable in human collaboration. Although many scholars would argue that the effective and efficient management of conflict still requires formal authority, my coauthors and I explore the limits of this assumption.
*He, V. F., Puranam P., Shrestha Y. R., & von Krogh, G. (2020) Resolving governance disputes in online communities: A study of license decisions in open source software projects. Forthcoming in Strategic Management Journal. (*Equal contribution)
*He, V. F. & Puranam, P. (2020) Collaborative organizing: Managing conflict without authority. Forthcoming in Snow & Fjeldstad (Eds.) Designing Modern Organizations. Cambridge University Press. (*Equal contribution)
Gersdorf, T., He. V. F., Schlesinger, A., Koch, G., Widmer, H., & von Krogh, G. (2019) Demystifying industry-academia collaborations in drug discovery. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 18, 743-744.
He, V. F., von Krogh, G., Sirén, C., & Gersdorf, T. Agree to disagree: Dissimilarity and conflict in university–industry research collaboration. 2nd R&R in Research Policy.