Leadership for facilitating team communities of practice: an exploratory study
Makoto Matsuo, Motohiro Aihara
Journal of Workplace Learning, 38, 2, 127, 144, Emerald, 02 Feb. 2026, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal, Purpose

This study aims to exploratorily examine leadership styles that facilitate team communities of practice (CoPs).

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of a scale development approach, this study developed a three-dimensional leadership measurement scale for team CoPs using three datasets.

Findings

First, items were generated by qualitatively analyzing open-ended questionnaire data (n = 59) from employees who perceived their teams as CoPs. Second, exploratory factor analyses were performed using quantitative questionnaire survey data (n = 309), and three dimensions were extracted: facilitating open discussion, supporting problem-solving and promoting knowledge sharing. Third, the three-dimensional model was validated by confirmatory factor analysis using different questionnaire survey data (n = 309). The structural equation modeling results showed that only promoting knowledge sharing was directly and positively related to team CoPs, whereas facilitating open discussion and supporting problem-solving were positively related to team CoPs, mediated by promoting knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

Although only limited quantitative studies have investigated the effect of leadership on CoPs, this study found a structural leadership model for facilitating team CoPs. Based on these findings, the study proposed a three-step leadership model for facilitating team CoPs.

Effect of shared goals on knowledge sharing and withholding: the mediating role of exploration activities
Makoto Matsuo, Motohiro Aihara, Jacky F. L. Hong
Human Resource Development International, 27, 2, 195, 217, Informa UK Limited, 31 May 2023, [Peer-reviewed], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal

Effect of a community of practice on knowledge sharing across boundaries: the mediating role of learning goals
Makoto Matsuo, Motohiro Aihara
Journal of Knowledge Management, 26, 1, 1, 16, Emerald, 06 Jan. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
Scientific journal, Purpose

A community of practice (CoP) is believed to be a driver for knowledge creation but it can hinder knowledge sharing across boundaries. Drawing on social cognitive theory, this study aims to investigate how a CoP within a single unit promotes knowledge sharing with other units by examining the mediating effect of the members’ learning goals (LG).

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling was conducted using a two-wave survey data on nurses from eight Japanese hospitals (n = 263).

Findings

The results indicated that LG fully and positively mediated the effect of a CoP on the knowledge-sharing intention of one unit toward other units and that LG fully and negatively mediated the effect of a CoP on knowledge withholding (KW) from other units.

Practical implications

Knowledge managers need to note that intellectual benefits from experienced CoP can play a key role in reducing the perceived risks associated with members’ knowledge sharing and in creating effective knowledge sharing with other units.

Originality/value

The main contribution is to identify the process by which CoP promotes knowledge sharing and prevents KW across boundaries mediated through LG. This study is the first to quantitatively show how LG cross inter-professional barriers caused by CoPs.

Qualitative Comparative Study of the Microfoundations of Complex Lifecycle in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
01 Apr. 2023 - 31 Mar. 2027
山田 仁一郎, 相原 基大, 秋庭 太, 林 侑輝
当該プロジェクトにおいて、以下の3つの活動を実施している。まず第一に、京都試作ネット事例に関わる企業家エコシステムの文献調査及び実地調査を行い、これにより分析用データセットを構築し、一次的な研究成果をまとめた。特に、当該地域を代表する企業や大学における産業系のガバナンスが、中小企業の経営人材が地域の企業家活動を担うプロセスを明らかにする成果がある。これらの成果は、2024年6月に開催される組織学会研究発表大会において発表が採択される運びとなった。次に、エスポー・フィンランド地域のエコシステムに関しては実地調査を実施し、今後の調査に向けた基礎的なデータを入手するとともに、現地の研究者から協力を得て、次年度以降の実地調査に向けた環境整備を進めている。
また、木製家具業界および酒造業界の国内集積に関しては、二次資料の収集と実地調査に着手し、次年度以降に計画している一次的な記述的研究に向けたデータセットの構築を進めている。また、青森りんごクラスター地域の現地調査とデータ整備も開始している。
最後に、本年度は、企業家エコシステムの事例分析の国際学会報告だけではなく、中小企業の行動様式に関する先行研究レビューと事例の調査・分析を実施し、国内外の学会・研究会にて報告を行った。
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Kyoto University, 23K25542

産業地域における制度的文脈の形成・変容過程に関する国際比較研究
科学研究費助成事業
01 Apr. 2019 - 31 Mar. 2023
相原 基大
事業期間３年目の本年度は３つの研究活動を展開した．第1に，研究対象である６つの産業地域のうちデータベースがほぼ整った事例群に関する記述的研究を進め，成果の一部をディスカッションペーパーにまとめ公開した．国内の木工インテリア製造業を代表する産業地域を取り上げ，当地業界で成立した公的な年間スケジュールに焦点を当て，産業地域におけるルーティンの生成と作用に関する分析結果と理論的含意を整理した．史資料の一部欠損もあり試論的な段階であるが，各産業地域における制度的文脈の形成・変容過程を，業界の内的な視界から理解する上で不可欠な知見と視角を得た．予定する歴史民族誌の手法に沿った集中的な調査研究を支える内容である．第２に分析用データベースの整備を継続した．前年度に引き続き，調査研究を取り巻く厳しい状況下で入手可能な史資料を渉猟して分析に適うデータ形式に揃え，データベースの完備性の向上と分析の過誤を回避する操作性の改善を進めた．国内の木工インテリア製造業および国内および欧州の眼鏡枠製造業の産業地域に関する入手可能な歴史的な資料については整備をほぼ終え，現地調査に向けた準備が着実に進んだ．欧州の木工インテリア製造業に関する現地の言語で書かれた大量の資料を読み込み，分析に適う精度を備えたデータベースの構築作業にも負荷をかけた．第３に，本事業の基盤的な概念枠を改訂した．複数の事例研究を遂行する過程で得た発見事実，例えば，国内において同一の産業に属し，同じ時代を経験してきた産業地域であっても，各当地業界の基底で性質の異なるルーティンが働いている等の観察をもとに，概念枠の修正を重ねた．現在，国内の産業地域で培われてきた制度的文脈が，同じ産業に属する海外の産業地域における制度的文脈の影響を受けて質的に大きく変容した事実を示すデータを見出し，概念枠の洗練に着手している．
日本学術振興会, 基盤研究(C), 北海道大学, 19K01828

Emergence and transformation of competitive contexts in industrial districts
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
01 Apr. 2015 - 31 Mar. 2019
Aihara Motohiro, AKIBA Futoshi
This study aims to explore social mechanisms working in emergence and development of competitive contexts in industrial districts. A combination of the two analytical methods, the quantitative analysis of texts in documents and historical ethnography, was applied in case studies of five industrial districts. A set of potentially possible explanations for the emergence and development of competitive contexts in industrial districts was generated through comparative case study research.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Hokkaido University, 15K03597

Dynamism of Gloobal Innovation Activities
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
01 Apr. 2011 - 31 Mar. 2016
IWATA Satoshi, HIRAMOTO KENTA, HIRANO MINORU, ABE TOMOKAZU, OKADA MIYAKO, SAKAGAWA YUJI, AIHARA MOTOHIRO, TADA KAZUMI, TANIGUCHI EUGENE, KOJIMA HIROMITSU, UDA TADASHI
First, We defined the global innovation activiteis and constructed hypotheses by surveying the relevant literature. Second, we described the research methods and constructed research framework on global innovation activities. Third, we conducted emprical research (quantitative research and qalitative research) on global innovation activities based on the research framework. Finally, we discussed about the findings and analysed the research results including the theoretical contributions, managerial implications, and observations for future research.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Hokkaido University, 23330118

Understanding the transformation process of industrial districts
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
28 Apr. 2011 - 31 Mar. 2015
AIHARA Motohiro
This study aims to give a mechanism-based explanation about the historical process in which industrial districts have been transformed. Drawing on the theoretical insights of category studies, the conceptual framework is developed for analyzing the trajectory of industrial and social contexts in industrial districts, such as categorization, ’standardized’ business practices, rational strategic recipes, and codes of conducts in the business settings.The framework has been refined through comparative case studies of five industrial districts. The study also provides the systematic and qualitative analysis of texts to understand the dynamics of industrial and social contexts from historical and qualitative documents.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B), Hokkaido University, 23730337

Governance Mechanism of Strategic Collaboration
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
2010 - 2012
HIRAMOTO Kenta, KOJIMA Hiromitsu, AIHARA Motohiro
The result of this research is as following. Firstly, the construct of the governance mechanism of strategic multi-sector collaboration was clarified and the analytic framework for describing and explaining the correlation between concepts was built. That is the “window model of collaboration” which is a theoretical framework of the strategic collaboration was revised partially, and in activity of the deployment term, in detail, improvement was added so that description and analysis became possible. Secondly, the general feature of the governance of collaboration was deposited. Thirdly, it was based on our analysis framework, and the actual condition of collaboration was measured, described and analyzed.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Hokkaido University, 22530389

Formation and Spillover of Strategic Collaboration
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
2008 - 2011
KOJIMA Hiromitsu, HIRAMOTO Kenta, IWATA Satoshi, TANIGUCHI Eugene, OKADA Miyako, SAKAGAWA Yuuji, AIHARA Motohiro, UDA Tadashi, YOKOYAMA Keiko, SUGAWARA Hironobu
In this research project over four years, we analyzed the process of strategic collaboration between multi-sectors including nonprofits, governments and businesses.
First, we developed an original framework,"collaborative window model", according to the review of the previous studies. The collaborative window model is a useful framework to describe and analyze the dynamic aspect of the process of collaboration. Next, we made seven in-depth case studies of pioneering strategic multi-sector collaborative projects which had succeeded in creating pluralistic social values. Finally, we analyzed the seven multi-sector collaborative project mentioned above by using our model and presented 18 propositions and 7 practical implications for collaborative activists on the basis of the results of the analysis.
In summary, we developed the original framework,"collaborative window model" for the analysis of multi-sector collaboration and indicated its effectiveness through the case studies.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), 20330076

The Role of Collaborative Entrepreneur in the Regional Innovation Systems
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
2008 - 2010
AIHARA Motohiro
The behavior and role of collaborative entrepreneurs for collaboratives to form in the regional innovation systems were studied based on the detailed field study in four regions. The study finds that collaborative entrepreneurs construct industrial problems in the region, put forth the sets of problems and solutions to get attention from actors in the regional innovation systems, and attempt to change the business contexts embedded in the region such as trade practices and business structures.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B), Hokkaido University, 20730238

Dynamism of Value Creation Models through Strategic Multi-sector Collaboration
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
2007 - 2009
HIRAMOTO Kenta, KOJIMA Hiromitsu, IWATA Satoshi, TANIGUCHI Eugene, OKADA Miyako, SAKAGAWA Yuuji, AIHARA Motohiro, UDA Tadashi, YOKOYAMA Keiko
Value creation through strategic multi-sector collaboration which was resolved by our research project is one of the viable methods for the challenging solution of social issues in the twenty first century. Now rapidly wide spreading strategic multi-sector collaboration has great potential for pluralistic social value creation. In the result of three-year research project, we made seven in-depth case studies of pioneering strategic multi-sector collaborative projects and we presented the essence of value creation through the collaborations. Our conclusions are presented as 18 propositions. These 18 propositions are classified into four groups, which are propositions on 1) participants specification and "ba" setting, 2) agenda setting and solution specification, 3) willingness of organizations and activities and 4) coming down and development of the collaboration.
The significance of this research project is following. First, the framework the name of which is "collaborative windows model" for analyzing value creation through strategic multi-sector collaboration was developed. Second, the essence of strategic value creation through multi-sector collaboration was presented. Finally, practical implications for value creation through strategic multi-sector collaboration are presented.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Hokkaido University, 19330080

Strategic Multi-Sector Collaborations among NPO, Government and Companies
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
2006 - 2008
IWATA Satoshi, KOJIMA Hiromitsu, HIRAMOTO Kenta, OKADA Miyako, TANIGUCHI Eugene, SAKAGAWA Yuji, AIHARA Motohiro, UDA Tadashi, TERAMOTO Yoshiya, YOKOYAMA Keiko, FUKUSHIMA Eishi
第1に, 戦略的協働とは何かを明らかにした. 第2に, 各セクター間における戦略的協働をパターン化した. 第3に, 協働パターンの構成概念を明確化し, 概念間の相互関係を記述し説明するための概念的枠組を構築し, その上で概念の操作化を試みた. 第4に, 構築された概念的枠組に基づき, NPO, 企業, 政府間の戦略的協働の実態を測定, 記述, 比較した. 第5に, 比較事例研究から得られた分析結果より, 戦略的協働に関する統合的な理論モデルを構築した.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Hokkaido University, 18330076

地域の起業家活動におけるネットワークの役割に関する実証研究
科学研究費助成事業
2005 - 2007
相原 基大
「起業家ネットワークに関する経験的研究の現状と展望」(相原・秋庭,2005)において析出した論点にそって,鯖江地域,諏訪地域,東大阪地域,大川地域にて二次資料および聴取調査データを収集し,(1)起業家のエゴセントリックなネットワークに関する定性データの分析作業をおこなうとともに,(2)パスモデルを適用した定量データの解析をおこなった。定性データの分析に際しては主にグラウンデッド・セオリー・アプローチを,他方,定量データの解析に際しては共分散構造分析の手法をそれぞれ採用した。
分析の結果,(1)複数の地域に共通して,「地域の産官学との日常的な交流」から「ネットワークから受ける開発協力や支援の活用」を媒介に「ネットワークを通したアイデアの獲得」に至るプロセスが存在している,(2)地域によって,産業界との日常的な交流が製品開発でのネットワークの活用に与える影響は異なっている,(3)この地域間での影響関係の相違は,(1)産業界における日常的な交流の目的が地域によって大きく異なっている,(2)下請関係や仲間取引の普及度合いなどの面において,産業構造の特性が地域によって大きく異なっている,の2点に起因している,(4)地域によってネットワークの利用の成果が異なっている,(5)起業家活動におけるネットワークの役割は,起業家をとりまく社会構造や制度的文脈の影響を受ける,の大きく5つの興味深い発見事実が確認された。
日本学術振興会, 若手研究(B), 北海道大学, 17730236

Strategic Partnership among NPOs, Governments and Firms
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
2005 - 2007
KOJIMA Hiromitsu, HIRAMOTO Kenta, TERAMOTO Yoshiya, YOKOYAMA Keiko, AIHARA Motohiro, SUGAWARA Hironobu
This research has aimed at the clarification of "Strategic partnership" in every country in the world for the past 15 years based on the strategic intent among NPOs, governments and firms. An extremely important "Strategic partnership" for the society of this 21st century was clarified from the aspect that centered on the management research theoretically and empirically.
First, "Collaborative Window model" that was a theoretical frame to analyze strategic partnership was presented with the first thesis. Second, we made a case study of PMF (Pacific Music Festival) in the second thesis, case studies of Kiritappu Wetland Trust and Hokkaido Green Fund in the third theses and case studies of JHADS and Japan Platform in the fourth thesis, respectively.
As a result of the series of case studies above, 20 propositions all including the following four propositions were extracted. Proposition 1: Two or more important participants who belong to the different sectors are continuously participating in the strategic partnership. Proposition 2: An important participant whose motivation is the highest alternates with the time passage. Proposition 3: Necessary time for the achievement of the strategic partnership is provided for by the amount of the capital resorce that the important participant can use at first. Proposition 4: When an activist sets connected places (Ba) and uses it in heavy layers of the plural, the strategic partnership is promoted. Proposition 5: When the solution to obtain (1) the technical practicability, (2) the cost in the tolerance, and (3) the citizen's connivance is generated and made the strategic partnership is promoted.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Hokkaido University, 17330081

地域におけるネットワークのイノベーション創出能力に関する実証研究
科学研究費助成事業
2002 - 2004
相原 基大
九州地域を中心に、中小企業による地域の他企業、公設試験場などとのネットワーク活用の実態を、(1)資料分析、フィールドワークなどの定性的調査手法、(2)113社を対象とする質問票にもとづく定量的調査手法を併用して把握につとめた。調査の対象となったのは、九州地域内の創造法認定企業におけるネットワーク活動、全国4産地(今治、常滑、鯖江、波佐見・有田)における創造的中小企業を軸としたネットワーク活動である。
調査研究の結果、(1)地域におけるネットワークへの参加が、直裁に創造的中小企業におけるイノベーション創出に対して有意な影響を与えない、(2)地域の他企業、他機関との共同研究開発を取り上げた場合、共同研究開発活動に関する従来の複数の説明経路のうち、イノベーションからの利益の専有可能性(appropriability concern)による説明力が最も大きい、(3)地域の創造的中小企業は、公設試験場などの研究機関を除いて、技術・製品開発における重要な情報源をパートナーとした共同開発行動を展開しない、の大きく3つの研究成果を得た。
以上の研究成果について、2編の論文(『創造的中小企業における共同開発行動の規定因:九州地域の創造法認定企業サンプルデータを用いた予備的分析』『研究開発協力行動に関する経験的研究の現状と展望』)を執筆するとともに、2回の学会報告(『創造的中小企業における開発情報の流出入と共同開発行動(於日本ベンチャー学会第7回全国大会,2004/12/04,九州工業大学)』『創造的中小企業における共同開発行動に関する実証研究(於組織学会九州腸支部例会,2004/12/11,九州大学)』)をおこなっている。
日本学術振興会, 若手研究(B), 長崎大学, 14730103

Jul. 2012 - Jul. 2012
Session Moderator, The 30th Standing Conference of Organizational Symbolism (SCOS) 2012, Barcelona.