Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research

Miettinen, R., Lehenkari, J. & Tuunainen, J. (2008) Learning and network collaboration in product development: How things work for human use. Management Learning, 39 (in press).

This paper studies learning in relation to the strategy formation of a biotechnology firm in terms of its development path through innovations. Such a path is composed of successive innovation or product development processes. It allows for the study of the simultaneous and interactive evolution of products, network collaboration as well as acquisition of new competences and learning. The search for new partners having complementary knowledge is a key management function in the process of strategy formation. Theoretically paper is based on cultural-historical activity theory and epistemology of things and effects. Both underline the vital significance of artifacts for learning and business activity. The epistemology of effects addresses the knowledge of how things work in experimental systems and products. Enzymes, proteins and instruments are put to work in a stabilized way as parts of new products. The effects so mastered entailed the qualities that made the products competitive in the global market.