Organizational Evolution and Disciplinary Transition: Case of a R&D Public Center in Mexico

Abstract

In this work, we present the case of the Applied Sciences and Technology Development Center (CCADET, from its Spanish acronym) of the National Autonomous University of México, to show that there is a close relation between the organizational evolution and the disciplinary transition in organizations that perform research and development (R&D). The methodology used, was the division of the time life span of the center in decades to later proceed with the identification of representative projects developed during the different stages of its life. Emphasis was placed in documenting the various disciplines dominated by the individuals that conformed the intellectual capital resources required to accomplish the projects. Relating this information it was possible to identify the disciplinary transition (DT) that have occurred along the evolution of the organization.

The awareness of the DT suffered by the organization and of its actual capacities is essential for organizational knowledge management and its appropriate conduction in concordance to its strategic development plans.