Now showing 1 - 10 of 24
  • Publication
    Improving decision making through visual knowledge calibration
    (Emerald Publishing Limited, 2023-03-02) ;
    Purpose: This article aims to explore the so-called illusion of explanatory depth (IOED) of managers regarding their understanding of digital technologies and examines the effect of knowledge visualization one’s current understanding and decision making. Its purpose is to show that managers think they know more than they do and that this affects decision making but can be reduced through knowledge visualization. Design/methodology/approach: In two experiments with experienced managers, the authors investigate the size and impact of the IOED bias in decision making and examine if sketched self-explanations are as effective as written self-explanations to reduce the bias. Findings: The findings show that experienced managers suffer from a significant illusion concerning their explanatory understanding of digital technologies and that sketching one’s current level of explanatory understanding of these technologies supports the accurate calibration of one’s knowledge. The findings indicate that sketching knowledge is a helpful modality for the detection and subsequent recalibration of biased knowledge in domain-dependent decision making. Originality/value: This article is the first to explore the effect of sketched knowledge externalization on the calibration of explanatory knowledge of managers. It extends the literature on both, the IOED and on knowledge visualization as an instrument of knowledge calibration.
  • Publication
    Data Integration: A Real-Time, Participant-Driven, and Visually Supported Method
    (Sage, 2020) ; ;
    Comi, Alice
    We introduce a method in which instant data visualization facilitates real-time data integration and involves participants in data interpretation. The results of quantitative research (e.g., electronic card sorting) are represented visually (e.g., in a dendrogram) and fed back to research participants in follow-up focus group conversations. The visualized quantitative results are reviewed and discussed by participants. The visual display of the quantitative results is annotated with qualitative feedback generated by participants that explains, enriches, or challenges the quantitative results. We apply our method in a card sorting study of Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) stakeholders. An approach that facilitates real-time data integration that is participant-driven and visually supported is the unique contribution of this article to mixed methods research.
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    Scopus© Citations 11
  • Publication
    A Visual Approach for Developing Social Enterprises
    The emerging interest in social entrepreneurship is challenged in practice by the complexity of balancing economic and social aspects, and by the difficulties of getting the public to understand the very concept of social enterprising. How can we support social entrepreneurs in developing and growing their organizations? The cognitive advantages of thinking and working visually are well established in the literature, but not yet applied to guide the entire social enterprising process. Mapping and communicating ideas visually can provide several benefits, not only in the ideation phase, but also for managing, optimizing, and growing a social enterprise. We present a framework with visual formats that can be utilized by social entrepreneurs in each specific phase of the social enterprise development: (1) idea generation, (2) social enterprise model refinement, (3) idea promotion and resources acquisition, (4) planning, (5) sales and instructions, (6) scaling impact, and (7) measuring and monitoring. At a theoretical level, the framework aims to structure and summarize the benefits of visual representations of knowledge for the field of social entrepreneurship. This visual approach has practical applications for social entrepreneurs who can utilize it as an overarching tool, for an informed selection and use of visualizations to support the development of their social ventures.
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  • Publication
    Visual Replay Methodology: A Mixed Methods Approach for Group Discussion Analysis
    In this article, we propose an innovative mixed methods research (MMR) technique and discuss its theory and applications. The visual replay methodology (VRM) is a new graphic way to investigate the discourse patterns during software-aided small group discussions. A visually supported conversation is recorded through screen capturing and replayed to reconstruct how the discussion has unfolded. The VRM responds to the “integration challenge” that the MMR community is facing—by employing the power of visualization, data integration is leveraged to a new level, where visual synergy gains enable a “value-added” research outcome. By employing multigenre integration and a moderately pragmatic approach, the VRM reduces the researcher–subject power-relation gap and contributes to some long-standing MMR debates regarding reflexivity and participation.
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    Scopus© Citations 12
  • Publication
    Knowledge Scaffolding Visualizations: a Guiding Framework
    (Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, 2015-03-03) ; ;
    In this paper we provide a guiding framework for understanding and selecting visual representations in the knowledge management (KM) practice. We build on an interdisciplinary analogy between two connotations of the notion of "scaffolding": physical scaffolding from an architectural-engineering perspective and scaffolding of the "everyday knowing in practice" from a KM perspective. We classify visual structures for knowledge communication in teams into four types of scaffolds: grounded (corresponding e.g., to perspectives diagrams or dynamic facilitation diagrams), suspended (e.g., negotiation sketches, argument maps), panel (e.g., roadmaps or timelines) and reinforcing (e.g., concept diagrams). The article concludes with a set of recommendations in the form of questions to ask whenever practitioners are choosing visualizations for specific KM needs. Our recommendations aim at providing a framework at a broad-brush level to aid choosing a suitable visualization template depending on the type of KM endeavour.
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  • Publication
    Extending Tam to Information Visualization: A Framework for Evaluation
    (Academic Conferences Limited, 2015-01-01) ;
    Studies on the evaluation of information visualization techniques are flourishing, and related methodologies have been discussed in a growing number of recent studies. Yet, these evaluations concentrate mostly on usability measures and cognitive evaluations. In contrast, this contribution focuses on the various factors that drive the adoption of information visualization techniques. The Technology Acceptance Model and the Diffusion of Innovations theory are deployed to develop a framework for evaluating information visualization adoption. These seminal theories are extended and adapted to Information Visualization, resulting into a framework with three main dimensions: perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and perceived authority. The application of this theoretically-based evaluation framework is illustrated through positive and negative examples. As many visualization solutions have not achieved a wide use, the question of which factors foster their adoption seems to be a particularly relevant yet under-researched topic.
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  • Publication
    The Pitfalls of Visual Representations: A Review and Classification of Common Errors Made while Designing and Interpreting Visualizations
    (Sage Publ., 2015-10-14) ;
    A large body of research has addressed the benefits of visualization, whereas the analysis of the pitfalls has not received systematic attention. We aim to provide an overview of the common pitfalls and potential disadvantages of visual representations based on a multidisciplinary literature review. Subsequently, we develop a theoretically grounded classification of common cognitive, emotional, and social risks of visualization and populate it with a comprehensive list of visualization pitfalls. The aim of this research is not to diminish the potential of visualization, but rather to improve visual literacy by structuring our understanding of the possible limitations of graphic representations.
    Scopus© Citations 61
  • Publication
    Visualization in Management: From Communication to Collaboration. A Response to Zhang
    (Elsevier Academic Press, 2013-10-01) ;
    The benefits of visualization are starting to be exploited in the field of management. Beyond cognitive and communicative advantages, this view point article highlights how visualization can enhance collaborative activities in organizations. Recent trends in management indicate that the activity of visualizing can be as important as the pictures that are generated. Qualitative visualizations such as conceptual diagrams, metaphors or sketches are used as collaboration catalysts to facilitate a variety of tasks, from idea generation to decision making and planning. The article derives future research avenues in this promising and interdisciplinary field of inquiry, including the impact of immersive worlds, electronic sketches or multi-user interfaces for collaborative managerial tasks.
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    Scopus© Citations 47