Brian T. Pentland
Michigan State University

Date/Time: 11.05.2017, 10:00

Location: D2.2.094

Abstract

Zooming is a popular metaphor, but what does it mean to zoom in on sequential/temporal phenomena, like processes, practices and routines? In this talk, I want to discuss methods for "zooming in and out" on event networks using ThreadNet, a software application that weaves digital threads into networks of actions or events (http://routines.broad.msu.edu/ThreadNet). Unlike zooming in and out on an image (represented as an array of pixels), or an on organization chart (represented as a set of nested boxes), zooming in and out on an event network changes the definition of the vertices. This changes the structure of the network in ways that can be surprising. The fabric literally looks different, even though it is woven from the same threads.

Bio

Brian T. Pentland received his PhD in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1991 and SB in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981. His publications have appeared in Academy of Management Review, Accounting, Organizations and Society, Administrative Science Quarterly, Management Science, Organization Science, YouTube and elsewhere. He is a recipient of the 2015-16 William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award. (https://broad.msu.edu/facultystaff/pentland/).