Y.L. Lont
info
Please Note
<p>This page displays the records of the person named above and is not linked to a unique person identifier. This record may need to be merged to a profile.</p>
3 records found
1
The Role of Organizational Memory in Adaptation
A Master Thesis on the Effect of Job Rotation on a Public Organisation’s Adaptation
In complex public organizations, job-rotation policies are routinely used to build flexible workforces, yet their impact on adaptive performance remains unclear. This thesis investigates how the frequency and volume of rotation reshape organisational memory and, in turn, influence adaptation. Drawing on literature in organisational learning, complexity theory and contingency theory, it develops a conceptual framework that links memory loss, knowledge diffusion and re-learning to adaptive fit. The framework is operationalised in an agent-based extension of Epstein’s “Growing Adaptive Organizations” model, calibrated for a stylised public bureaucracy. Four task-environment regimes – stable, peaks, evolving and flipping – were simulated across nine combinations of rotation interval and volume, with stochastic hand-over accuracy and memory persistence. Results show that, within the model, any rotation schedule underperforms a no-rotation baseline; the best-performing rotating configurations lag by 1–18 percentage points in reliability, depending on environmental volatility. Rotation volume drives outcomes more strongly than interval: moving larger shares of staff consistently erodes performance, whereas shortening intervals only matters when large peaks coincide with rotations. Stable environments buffer memory loss, while environments with sharp, predictable shocks can benefit when rotations are timed to ‘prime’ units just before demand spikes. Excluded factors such as motivation boosts, informal networks and long-run career gains suggest the model is conservative about rotation’s upside. The study refines the memory-versus-flexibility debate and proposes four evidence-based interventions: align rotations with forecast shocks, cap simultaneous moves, use stable departments as learning incubators, and formalise hand-over protocols. Overall, job rotation is neither intrinsically adaptive nor maladaptive; its value is contingent on environmental cadence and design precision.
...
In complex public organizations, job-rotation policies are routinely used to build flexible workforces, yet their impact on adaptive performance remains unclear. This thesis investigates how the frequency and volume of rotation reshape organisational memory and, in turn, influence adaptation. Drawing on literature in organisational learning, complexity theory and contingency theory, it develops a conceptual framework that links memory loss, knowledge diffusion and re-learning to adaptive fit. The framework is operationalised in an agent-based extension of Epstein’s “Growing Adaptive Organizations” model, calibrated for a stylised public bureaucracy. Four task-environment regimes – stable, peaks, evolving and flipping – were simulated across nine combinations of rotation interval and volume, with stochastic hand-over accuracy and memory persistence. Results show that, within the model, any rotation schedule underperforms a no-rotation baseline; the best-performing rotating configurations lag by 1–18 percentage points in reliability, depending on environmental volatility. Rotation volume drives outcomes more strongly than interval: moving larger shares of staff consistently erodes performance, whereas shortening intervals only matters when large peaks coincide with rotations. Stable environments buffer memory loss, while environments with sharp, predictable shocks can benefit when rotations are timed to ‘prime’ units just before demand spikes. Excluded factors such as motivation boosts, informal networks and long-run career gains suggest the model is conservative about rotation’s upside. The study refines the memory-versus-flexibility debate and proposes four evidence-based interventions: align rotations with forecast shocks, cap simultaneous moves, use stable departments as learning incubators, and formalise hand-over protocols. Overall, job rotation is neither intrinsically adaptive nor maladaptive; its value is contingent on environmental cadence and design precision.
Exploratory modelling of trust within intra-organizational supply chains
Case study of a Dutch Military Logistics Centre
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has shown the importance of a well-organized military logistic system. The Dutch Ministry of Defence has concluded that their military logistic system is not used most efficiently. The need to build greater confidence in the ability of a defence organization as a whole to meet and sustain logistic support for future tasks has been acknowledged in the past. One such driver to build greater confidence is that of ‘trust’
Previous research on trust building between supply chain partners has been done manifold. However, the Dutch Ministry of Defence is a unique organization where the roles of distributor and client are within the same organization. Thus we are dealing with an intra-organizational supply chain, rather than a common inter-organizational one. Additionally, as a military organization the main priority of the supply chain is the responsiveness of the supply chain, rather than the efficiency. The uniqueness of the organization is the reason that additional research is needed on the role of trust within the supply chains with these special characteristics.
Multiple variables and their underlying relations, which create complexity and uncertainty, need to be addressed to implement policies that stimulate tryst within the organization. An System Dynamics (SD) Modelling approach will be used to access the dynamic complexity and uncertainty. The Exploratory Modelling Analysis (EMA) workbench enables the use and development of SD models, characterized by dynamic complexity, and deep uncertainty.
The results of the several analysis have given plentiful insights to consider regarding the future of trust dynamics between military supply chain partners. The initial values in a system such as this one have a huge impact on the progress of the model runs. Since the system consists of two major reinforcing feedback loops, Thus the system either strengthens or weakens itself, depending on the initial state of the model. Thus it is important to get the system to such a positive state, since it is likely to remain in a positive state.
As for the policy levers present in this system, the correction capacity lever seems the policy lever to have the most impact on the model outcomes. The correction capacity is the speed of which the incorrect orders get corrected. The results of the analyses conclude that regarding the state of trust in the model, it is crucial to keep this factor as efficient as possible. Since too low performance regarding correcting orders results in such delays that the trust level in the system completely disappears and does not come back within the time frame of the model run.
To summarize, I applied SD modelling and scenario discovery to explore the trust dynamics between a distributor and their client in a military intra-organizational supply chain context. Hereby I proved the importance of the initial state of the system, which due to its structure of reinforcing feedback loops is a big factor for its outcome. Additionally, it shows that the policy lever regarding performance by the distributor has the most impact on the trust level in the system. This insight tells us that performance is the biggest levers to adjust by policymakers to improve trust dynamics within their organization. I recommend policymakers to formulate strategies that give this insight to employees functioning as the distributor as well as the client. The interdependencies between one another should be emphasized. This should give the employees more incentive to improve their performance and thereby build trust between their collaboration partners.
...
Previous research on trust building between supply chain partners has been done manifold. However, the Dutch Ministry of Defence is a unique organization where the roles of distributor and client are within the same organization. Thus we are dealing with an intra-organizational supply chain, rather than a common inter-organizational one. Additionally, as a military organization the main priority of the supply chain is the responsiveness of the supply chain, rather than the efficiency. The uniqueness of the organization is the reason that additional research is needed on the role of trust within the supply chains with these special characteristics.
Multiple variables and their underlying relations, which create complexity and uncertainty, need to be addressed to implement policies that stimulate tryst within the organization. An System Dynamics (SD) Modelling approach will be used to access the dynamic complexity and uncertainty. The Exploratory Modelling Analysis (EMA) workbench enables the use and development of SD models, characterized by dynamic complexity, and deep uncertainty.
The results of the several analysis have given plentiful insights to consider regarding the future of trust dynamics between military supply chain partners. The initial values in a system such as this one have a huge impact on the progress of the model runs. Since the system consists of two major reinforcing feedback loops, Thus the system either strengthens or weakens itself, depending on the initial state of the model. Thus it is important to get the system to such a positive state, since it is likely to remain in a positive state.
As for the policy levers present in this system, the correction capacity lever seems the policy lever to have the most impact on the model outcomes. The correction capacity is the speed of which the incorrect orders get corrected. The results of the analyses conclude that regarding the state of trust in the model, it is crucial to keep this factor as efficient as possible. Since too low performance regarding correcting orders results in such delays that the trust level in the system completely disappears and does not come back within the time frame of the model run.
To summarize, I applied SD modelling and scenario discovery to explore the trust dynamics between a distributor and their client in a military intra-organizational supply chain context. Hereby I proved the importance of the initial state of the system, which due to its structure of reinforcing feedback loops is a big factor for its outcome. Additionally, it shows that the policy lever regarding performance by the distributor has the most impact on the trust level in the system. This insight tells us that performance is the biggest levers to adjust by policymakers to improve trust dynamics within their organization. I recommend policymakers to formulate strategies that give this insight to employees functioning as the distributor as well as the client. The interdependencies between one another should be emphasized. This should give the employees more incentive to improve their performance and thereby build trust between their collaboration partners.
...
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has shown the importance of a well-organized military logistic system. The Dutch Ministry of Defence has concluded that their military logistic system is not used most efficiently. The need to build greater confidence in the ability of a defence organization as a whole to meet and sustain logistic support for future tasks has been acknowledged in the past. One such driver to build greater confidence is that of ‘trust’
Previous research on trust building between supply chain partners has been done manifold. However, the Dutch Ministry of Defence is a unique organization where the roles of distributor and client are within the same organization. Thus we are dealing with an intra-organizational supply chain, rather than a common inter-organizational one. Additionally, as a military organization the main priority of the supply chain is the responsiveness of the supply chain, rather than the efficiency. The uniqueness of the organization is the reason that additional research is needed on the role of trust within the supply chains with these special characteristics.
Multiple variables and their underlying relations, which create complexity and uncertainty, need to be addressed to implement policies that stimulate tryst within the organization. An System Dynamics (SD) Modelling approach will be used to access the dynamic complexity and uncertainty. The Exploratory Modelling Analysis (EMA) workbench enables the use and development of SD models, characterized by dynamic complexity, and deep uncertainty.
The results of the several analysis have given plentiful insights to consider regarding the future of trust dynamics between military supply chain partners. The initial values in a system such as this one have a huge impact on the progress of the model runs. Since the system consists of two major reinforcing feedback loops, Thus the system either strengthens or weakens itself, depending on the initial state of the model. Thus it is important to get the system to such a positive state, since it is likely to remain in a positive state.
As for the policy levers present in this system, the correction capacity lever seems the policy lever to have the most impact on the model outcomes. The correction capacity is the speed of which the incorrect orders get corrected. The results of the analyses conclude that regarding the state of trust in the model, it is crucial to keep this factor as efficient as possible. Since too low performance regarding correcting orders results in such delays that the trust level in the system completely disappears and does not come back within the time frame of the model run.
To summarize, I applied SD modelling and scenario discovery to explore the trust dynamics between a distributor and their client in a military intra-organizational supply chain context. Hereby I proved the importance of the initial state of the system, which due to its structure of reinforcing feedback loops is a big factor for its outcome. Additionally, it shows that the policy lever regarding performance by the distributor has the most impact on the trust level in the system. This insight tells us that performance is the biggest levers to adjust by policymakers to improve trust dynamics within their organization. I recommend policymakers to formulate strategies that give this insight to employees functioning as the distributor as well as the client. The interdependencies between one another should be emphasized. This should give the employees more incentive to improve their performance and thereby build trust between their collaboration partners.
Previous research on trust building between supply chain partners has been done manifold. However, the Dutch Ministry of Defence is a unique organization where the roles of distributor and client are within the same organization. Thus we are dealing with an intra-organizational supply chain, rather than a common inter-organizational one. Additionally, as a military organization the main priority of the supply chain is the responsiveness of the supply chain, rather than the efficiency. The uniqueness of the organization is the reason that additional research is needed on the role of trust within the supply chains with these special characteristics.
Multiple variables and their underlying relations, which create complexity and uncertainty, need to be addressed to implement policies that stimulate tryst within the organization. An System Dynamics (SD) Modelling approach will be used to access the dynamic complexity and uncertainty. The Exploratory Modelling Analysis (EMA) workbench enables the use and development of SD models, characterized by dynamic complexity, and deep uncertainty.
The results of the several analysis have given plentiful insights to consider regarding the future of trust dynamics between military supply chain partners. The initial values in a system such as this one have a huge impact on the progress of the model runs. Since the system consists of two major reinforcing feedback loops, Thus the system either strengthens or weakens itself, depending on the initial state of the model. Thus it is important to get the system to such a positive state, since it is likely to remain in a positive state.
As for the policy levers present in this system, the correction capacity lever seems the policy lever to have the most impact on the model outcomes. The correction capacity is the speed of which the incorrect orders get corrected. The results of the analyses conclude that regarding the state of trust in the model, it is crucial to keep this factor as efficient as possible. Since too low performance regarding correcting orders results in such delays that the trust level in the system completely disappears and does not come back within the time frame of the model run.
To summarize, I applied SD modelling and scenario discovery to explore the trust dynamics between a distributor and their client in a military intra-organizational supply chain context. Hereby I proved the importance of the initial state of the system, which due to its structure of reinforcing feedback loops is a big factor for its outcome. Additionally, it shows that the policy lever regarding performance by the distributor has the most impact on the trust level in the system. This insight tells us that performance is the biggest levers to adjust by policymakers to improve trust dynamics within their organization. I recommend policymakers to formulate strategies that give this insight to employees functioning as the distributor as well as the client. The interdependencies between one another should be emphasized. This should give the employees more incentive to improve their performance and thereby build trust between their collaboration partners.
Modelling information-flow in formal organisations
Case study of the Dutch Military Air Transport Unit
The Dutch Ministry of Defence fulfils a crucial role in keeping the Dutch kingdom safe. From missions overseas to providing aid in the case of natural disasters, correct and efficient information-flow is critical for their operations. When a situation occurs, everything is dropped to make sure that they can handle it. The Royal Dutch Army, Navy, Airforce and Marechaussee make up the armed forces part of the military. Besides the branches of the armed forces, there are two support branches. Under one of them, Defensie Ondersteuningscommando, the Air Transport Unit of the Dutch military is located. This unit plans and advises on all forms of air transport for the Ministry of Defence, a unit where correct and timely information is flow critical.
This thesis attempts to answer the following research question: What are the effects of formal network structures within public organisations on their information-flow quality? Attempting to fill gaps in literature surrounding the effect of formal network structures on information-flow quality. The study defines information-flow which is used for the KPIs. The effects of formal network structures on information-flow quality are studied using an ABM model developed in this thesis. The model is tested on the Air Transport Unit network and a diverse set of randomly generated networks. In this case, key findings from the model results indicate that in the case hierarchy, a more hierarchical structure positively affects their data correctness. However, this more hierarchical structure negatively affects their information timeliness. Employee business does not seem to be affected by hierarchy. Other findings relating to the number of employees whose function it is to control data for mistakes, have significant effects on improving data correctness while at the same time, negatively affecting the timeliness of information. Indicating that the optimum, hierarchical, or less hierarchical organisation lies with the ambitions and goals of an organisation.
...
This thesis attempts to answer the following research question: What are the effects of formal network structures within public organisations on their information-flow quality? Attempting to fill gaps in literature surrounding the effect of formal network structures on information-flow quality. The study defines information-flow which is used for the KPIs. The effects of formal network structures on information-flow quality are studied using an ABM model developed in this thesis. The model is tested on the Air Transport Unit network and a diverse set of randomly generated networks. In this case, key findings from the model results indicate that in the case hierarchy, a more hierarchical structure positively affects their data correctness. However, this more hierarchical structure negatively affects their information timeliness. Employee business does not seem to be affected by hierarchy. Other findings relating to the number of employees whose function it is to control data for mistakes, have significant effects on improving data correctness while at the same time, negatively affecting the timeliness of information. Indicating that the optimum, hierarchical, or less hierarchical organisation lies with the ambitions and goals of an organisation.
...
The Dutch Ministry of Defence fulfils a crucial role in keeping the Dutch kingdom safe. From missions overseas to providing aid in the case of natural disasters, correct and efficient information-flow is critical for their operations. When a situation occurs, everything is dropped to make sure that they can handle it. The Royal Dutch Army, Navy, Airforce and Marechaussee make up the armed forces part of the military. Besides the branches of the armed forces, there are two support branches. Under one of them, Defensie Ondersteuningscommando, the Air Transport Unit of the Dutch military is located. This unit plans and advises on all forms of air transport for the Ministry of Defence, a unit where correct and timely information is flow critical.
This thesis attempts to answer the following research question: What are the effects of formal network structures within public organisations on their information-flow quality? Attempting to fill gaps in literature surrounding the effect of formal network structures on information-flow quality. The study defines information-flow which is used for the KPIs. The effects of formal network structures on information-flow quality are studied using an ABM model developed in this thesis. The model is tested on the Air Transport Unit network and a diverse set of randomly generated networks. In this case, key findings from the model results indicate that in the case hierarchy, a more hierarchical structure positively affects their data correctness. However, this more hierarchical structure negatively affects their information timeliness. Employee business does not seem to be affected by hierarchy. Other findings relating to the number of employees whose function it is to control data for mistakes, have significant effects on improving data correctness while at the same time, negatively affecting the timeliness of information. Indicating that the optimum, hierarchical, or less hierarchical organisation lies with the ambitions and goals of an organisation.
This thesis attempts to answer the following research question: What are the effects of formal network structures within public organisations on their information-flow quality? Attempting to fill gaps in literature surrounding the effect of formal network structures on information-flow quality. The study defines information-flow which is used for the KPIs. The effects of formal network structures on information-flow quality are studied using an ABM model developed in this thesis. The model is tested on the Air Transport Unit network and a diverse set of randomly generated networks. In this case, key findings from the model results indicate that in the case hierarchy, a more hierarchical structure positively affects their data correctness. However, this more hierarchical structure negatively affects their information timeliness. Employee business does not seem to be affected by hierarchy. Other findings relating to the number of employees whose function it is to control data for mistakes, have significant effects on improving data correctness while at the same time, negatively affecting the timeliness of information. Indicating that the optimum, hierarchical, or less hierarchical organisation lies with the ambitions and goals of an organisation.