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This study delves into interdisciplinary ideas across physical, biological, and social sciences, utilizing innovative techniques from beyond academia to explore coalition behavior, evolution, and the foundation of complex networks in organizations. It focuses on the dynamics of alliances in higher education partnerships between UK and Russian institutions, examining different types of partnerships, their structures, aims, and payoffs. The research advances understanding on cooperative and non-cooperative games, network decision-making processes, and the emergence of strategic partnerships. By analyzing the intricate interplay of stakeholders, organizational grammar, and coalition formations, the study sheds light on the complexities of collaborative relationships within educational frameworks. Website: robindcmatthews.com
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ALLIANCE THEORY AND BEHAVIOUR: ANGLO RUSSIAN EDUCATION ALLIANCES Robin Matthews
AIMS IN RELATION TO A DOCTORAL PROGRAMME • INTERDISCIPLINARY IDEAS • Physical, biological and social sciences • Imaginative techniques from outside academia • GENERAL THESIS • Coalition behaviour and evolution • 3 coalitions (alliances) OPEC, Anglo Russian HE, Simulation • FOUNDATIONS • Complexity and game theory
NETWORK OF DISTRIBUTED DECISIONS IN ORGANIZATIONS NETWORKS OF ORGANIZATIONAL STORIES robindcmatthews.com
COMPLEXITY • INTERDEPENDENCE • Large number of interacting variables • time • Space • MANY BEHAVIOURS • NO SIMPLE (CAUSAL)SEQUENCES • QUALITATIVE CHANGE • Emergence • selection • ADAPTATION • Co-evolution
B C A Random network Connectors Small world F D E Nodes (vertices) robindcmatthews.com
Complex networks the global financial system Preferential attachment robindcmatthews.com
Games • ZERO POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SUM GAMES • INTERDEPENDENCE • Nash equilibrium • Evolutionary stability • RULES OF THE GAME • COOPERATIVE AND NON CO-OPERATIVE GAMES
Type 1 Alliances Akin to joint equity ventures. Partners (B1 and R1) invest institutional assets (broadly defined to include physical assets, staff, knowledge, expertise and infrastructure) into a separate entity, (termed a joint venture, JV) which reports to and is monitored by both institutions. Usually long term designed t achieve broad aims. Wide bandwidth and scope Division of payoffs between institutional stakeholders is determined by broad contractual arrangements (memoranda of agreement, statements of intent, specified shares cash revenues). Type 2 Alliances Simple and specific arrangements. One partner (B1), sells, leases or hires assets to a second (R1) who is responsible for its management and usually reports to B1, who is responsible for monitoring and control. Usually short term, designed to achieve specific aims. Narrow bandwidth and scope.. Contractual arrangements on division of monetary payoffs between institutional stakeholders are very specific
complex adaptive systems. Coalitions formed at many levels of the organization matrix. Search process potentially NP hard. Large numbers of activities and possible coalitions. Search mediated by organizational grammar. Grammar is itself a complex adaptive system. Evolution in the form of new coalition structures on the organization matrix. Strategy is an evolutionary process. Interdependence between large numbers of activities: non linearity. Three ontological domains: (R),(P) and (). Learning takes the form of exploiting existing potential (P) and exploring for new potential in (). Cooperative games Payoffs realised in (R): signalled by decisions by agent stakeholders about coalition formation. Represented by binary strings. Payoffs from coalitions represented as transferable utilities. Agency problem extends to many stakeholders. Payoffs can be distributed in many different ways to stakeholders. Behaviour conditioned by organizational grammar. Many different coalitional games possible on the organization matrix. Coalitions must at least be viable. Coalition structures unlikely to satisfy core conditions. Coalitions gravitate to as state of self ordered criticality. foundations
Essential features of type 1 partnerships Binary relationships at many levels. Usually between public sector organizations. May receive seed money from foundations and government agencies. Encouraged and morally supported by embassy and British Council (at institutional and faculty/department level): graduation ceremonies, visiting lectures. Joint venture has a separate identity. Long term, wide spectrum of payoffs (scope and bandwidth). Relatively low discount rates. Long term aim to be self-financing. Institutions do not capture all payoffs. May evolve from type 2 alliances. Essential features of type 2 partnerships Few binary relationships. May be public, private or public/private sector partnership. Often initially subsidised: grants from foundations and government agencies. Usually emanates from joint effort, university, faculty and department level. Strong monitoring and control by UK institution. A package of payoffs (with narrow bandwidth and scope). Aim for an excess revenues over costs annually. Relatively high discount rate. Relatively short term. May be exploratory and precursors of type 1.
Payoffs from Russian British alliances in higher education include monetary and non-monetary, direct and indirect, tangible and intangible, long and short-term components. Academic partnerships (including both education and training of Russians located in the UK and in Russia) enhance future diplomatic and trade relationships and contribute to economic growth. We differentiate payoffs according to bandwidth (the size and variety of payoffs resulting from a partnership and scope (the number of stakeholders and the variety of stakeholder groups affected by the payoffs). The principal stakeholders identified in British (B) and Russian (R) alliances in higher education are governments (BG, RG) institutions (B1, R1) academics (B2, R2) and students (B3, R3). Bandwidth and scope are significant influences on the type of partnership agreement. Tangible elements include; income streams to institutions, enhanced incomes to graduates (and sometimes academics), and enhanced career opportunities, outcomes in terms of graduate qualifications, research, publications, and contribution to RAE scores and knowledge transfer. There may be significant intangible payoffs; reputation, staff development, staff training and development, richer cultural perspectives and greater international understanding. Payoffs from Alliances in Higher EducationBetween Russian and British InstitutionsGeneral Remarks
Students benefit from access to international academics, alumni networks, and exchange and travel opportunities. UK academic processes are seen as reliable, and fair. Programmes offered in Russia are economical on student time (especially part time or block learning modes): a feature particularly important for Russian business students since the Russian environment changes rapidly, management skills are scarce and (prolonged – a year or more) absence from the Russian scene is seen as disadvantageous. Consumption benefits accrue to an educated population exposed to international influences. Many payoffs are public goods: they are durable, long term, they benefit communities generally; they have wide bandwidth and scope. Downside risks to governments of promoting partnerships are negligible and benefits may be substantial. Institutions have relatively high discount rates and rate reputation risks highly. Payoffs from Alliances in Higher EducationBetween Russian and British InstitutionsGeneral Remarks