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Aligning modes of organization with technology: Critical transactions in the reform of infrastructures

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  • Rolf Künneke
  • John Groenewegen
  • Claude Ménard

Abstract

This paper is about the alignment of technology and modes of organization in infrastructures in the context of their reform. Since infrastructures are characterized by strong technical complementarities, we explore the resulting 'critical technical functions' that need to be performed in order to guarantee the expected technical performance of the system. We characterize 'critical transactions' as essential to provide adequate support to these functions. We distinguish various modes of organization that can effectively coordinate these critical transactions. We argue that the features of these transactions determine the alignment between organization and technology and should be taken explicitly into account when reforming infrastructures.

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  • Rolf Künneke & John Groenewegen & Claude Ménard, 2010. "Aligning modes of organization with technology: Critical transactions in the reform of infrastructures," Post-Print hal-00849414, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00849414
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2010.05.009
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    3. Daniel Scholten & Rolf Künneke, 2016. "Towards the Comprehensive Design of Energy Infrastructures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-24, December.
    4. Hagen Worch & Bernhard Truffer & Mundia Kabinga & Jochen Markard & Anton Eberhard, 2012. "Tackling the Capability Gap in Utility Firms: Applying Management Research to Infrastructure Sectors," CID Working Papers 55, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
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    9. Johannes M. Bauer & Michael Latzer, 2016. "The economics of the Internet: an overview," Chapters, in: Johannes M. Bauer & Michael Latzer (ed.), Handbook on the Economics of the Internet, chapter 1, pages 3-20, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    10. Worch, Hagen & Truffer, Bernhard & Kabinga, Mundia & Eberhard, Anton & Markard, Jochen, 2013. "A capability perspective on performance deficiencies in utility firms," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 1-9.
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    18. Bauer, Johannes M., 2022. "Toward new guardrails for the information society," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(5).
    19. Nele Friedrichsen, 2011. "Governing Smart Grids - the Case for an Independent System Operator," Bremen Energy Working Papers 0011, Bremen Energy Research.
    20. Perennes, Patricia, 2014. "Use of combinatorial auctions in the railway industry: Can the “invisible hand” draw the railway timetable?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 175-187.
    21. Tsai, Hsin-yi Sandy & Bauer, Johannes M., 2014. "Drivers of fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure adoption and quality," 20th ITS Biennial Conference, Rio de Janeiro 2014: The Net and the Internet - Emerging Markets and Policies 106884, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    22. Kimmich, Christian, 2013. "Linking action situations: Coordination, conflicts, and evolution in electricity provision for irrigation in Andhra Pradesh, India," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 150-158.
    23. Jean-Claude BOUAL & Cathy ZADRA-VEIL, 2018. "New hybrid organizations in the social and solidarity economy in France: A new cooperative governance?," CIRIEC Studies Series, in: Philippe BANCE & CIRIEC (ed.), Providing public goods and commons. Towards coproduction and new forms of governance for a revival of public action, volume 1, chapter 13, pages 265-281, CIRIEC - Université de Liège.
    24. Claire Bergaentzlé, 2012. "Particularités d'adoption des compteurs intelligents au Royaume-Uni et en Allemagne : entre marchés de comptage libéralisé et règles à mettre en place pour un réel smart grid intégré," Post-Print halshs-00793322, HAL.
    25. Nele Friedrichsen, 2015. "Governing smart grids: the case for an independent system operator," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 553-572, June.

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