Information System Integration Dynamics

Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science

This project develops a new idea of crowdsourcing-based design of wireless networks, where the spare storage capacity of the edge devices (mobile phones and cellular base stations) is used to cache popular content which can then be asynchronously delivered to other users on demand. This idea is particularly relevant for the video-based traffic, which is known to exhibit a high degree of spatiotemporal correlation. We develop a synergistic data-driven approach to the design, analysis, and optimization of crowdsourcing-based wireless networks that brings together concepts from communications and information theories, big data, crowdsourcing, point process theory, and stochastic geometry.

Construction Industry Institute #RT326

The engineering and construction industry is increasingly utilizing geographically distributed, virtual teams to execute project work. This is driven by industry globalization, advancements in virtual team tools, and the need to remain competitive, among other reasons. Yet, organizations are reporting varying degrees of virtual team success. In this research we are first determining the industry’s current and recent past use of technology, processes, procedures and policies for virtual teamwork. Then, we are determining why teams have had varying degrees of success with virtual teams. Finally, we are develop a decision-making and implementation tool that aims to help engineering and construction organizations to maximize virtual team performance.

National Science Foundation #1212673 (formerly #0943069)

Researching virtual organizations challenges researchers to adapt to new constraints and provides possibilities to exploit new opportunities. In studying the organizational implications of executing complex design work in virtual environments, we found that traditional organizational research methodologies were time consuming, often difficult to implement, and failed to exploit the information richness of the virtual environment. This research entails: (1) CyberGRID Net – developing a research data collection and analysis tool integrated into an existing global virtual engineering team working environment, and (2) CyberGRID Networks – utilizing that tool to develop fundamental insights into how globally distributed engineering teams enact complex design work together and with affordances in the virtual environment.

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Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Industry Studies Fellowship Research

This research fills a gap in understanding of how intercultural networks of firms originating from the same specialization (e.g., engineering designers) navigate knowledge system exchanges through the interactive use of boundary objects. This central question examined in this research is how engineering design firms in cross-cultural, global project networks exchange, develop and resolve conflicts in knowledge systems through the use of intermediate boundary objects. We focus specifically on how a 3D CAD integrated information system is used to resolve knowledge system conflicts that emerge during knowledge exchanges. The findings are elucidating strategies that can help maintain the innovative edge of the U.S. engineering workforce.