Data_Sheet_1_A Distributed Framework for the Study of Organizational Cognition in Meetings.zip

This paper proposes an analytical framework for the analysis of organizational cognition that borrows from distributed and ecological cognition. In so doing, we take a case study featuring a decision on the topic of agreeing on a set point in the agenda of a meeting. It is through the analysis of a few minutes of video-recording used in the case that enables us to demonstrate the power of applying distributed and ecological cognition to organizing processes. Cognitive mechanism, resources, and processes are identified within this combined framework. Mechanisms are described as “socio-material” (CM1)—where “people” and “artifacts” are the related cognitive resources—and as “conceptual” (CM2)—with “group” identity, “topic” understanding, meaning of “procedures,” and perception of “time” as resources. Processes are defined as “coupling,” “de-coupling,” and “un-coupled” depending on the type of relation in place. Finally, the paper presents an agent-based computational simulation to demonstrate the potentials of operationalizing this approach.

本文提出了一套面向组织认知分析的分析框架，该框架借鉴了分布式认知（distributed cognition）与生态认知（ecological cognition）理论。基于该框架，我们开展了一项案例研究，聚焦于会议议程设定点的共识决策议题。通过对案例中数分钟的录像资料进行分析，我们得以论证将分布式与生态认知应用于组织流程的实践价值。在该整合框架下，我们明确了认知机制、认知资源与认知流程三大核心要素。认知机制分为两类：其一为“社会物质性”（CM1），其相关认知资源涵盖“人”与“人工制品”；其二为“概念性”（CM2），其认知资源包括“群体”身份认同、“议题”理解、“流程”的意义内涵以及“时间”感知。认知流程则根据所处关系类型，被划分为“耦合”“解耦合”与“非耦合”三种形态。最后，本文构建了基于智能体（Agent）的计算仿真模型，以论证该研究方法的可操作化潜力。