Karen-Smits-Researcher

Karen’s research revolves around relationships and processes within and between organizations. Particularly, she is interested in collaboration, culture and behavior. How people make sense of the cultural complexity in their everyday work life is a primary interest in her academic work. During the Ph.D. project Karen presented her study at different international conferences, taught in various academic courses and mentored several students in the completion of their Master’s thesis projects. Currently, Karen works as a researcher and advisor in the Latin America region. She supports organizational members in developing cross-cultural collaboration, organizational change and growth initiatives. She has also been hired for research projects that unravel employee experiences and distinguish lessons learned.

Please click here for Karen’s publications.

PUBLICATIONS

Academic Articles
  • Smits, K. & Brownlow, R. (2017) Collaboration and Crisis in Mega Projects: A Study in Cross Corporate Culture Conflict and its Resolution. Independent Journal of Management & Production, Vol. 8, Iss 8, pp 395-415.
  • Van Marrewijk, A., Ybema, S., Smits, K., Pitsis, T., Clegg, S. (2016) Clash of the Titans: Temporary Organizing and Collaborative Dynamics in the Panama Canal Megaproject. Organization Studies, Vol. 37, Iss 12, pp 1745-1769.
  • Van Marrewijk, A., Smits, K. (2016) Cultural practices of governing in the Panama Canal Expansion Megaproject. International Journal of Project Management, Vol 34, Iss. 3, pp 553-544.
  • Smits, K., Van Marrewijk, A., & Veenswijk, M. (2015). The Collabyrinth of Cross-cultural Collaboration in the Panama Canal Megaproject. In A. Van Marrewijk (Ed.), Inside Megaprojects: Understanding the Cultural Practices in Project Management (pp. 103-136). Copenhagen: CBS Press.
  • Van Marrewijk, A. and Smits, K. (2014) Projectscapes: the role of spatial settings in managing complex megaprojects. International Journal of Complexity in Leadership and Management, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp 278-292.
  • Smits, K. and Van Marrewijk, A. (2012) Chaperoning: Practices of Collaboration in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. Vol. 5, Iss. 3, pp. 440-456.
  • Roessingh, C. and Smits, K. (2010) Social Capital and Mennonite Entrepreneurship: the case of Circle R in Blue Creek, Northern Belize. International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, Vol. 2, pp. 22-35.
Book and Book chapters
  • Smits, K. Van Marrewijk, A and Veenswijk, M (2015) Inside the Panama Canal Expansion Program: A Collabyrinth. In: Inside Mega Projects: Understanding Cultural Practices. Copenhagen, Denmark: Liber & Copenhagen Business School Press.
  • Smits, K. (2013) Cross Culture Work: Practices of Collaboration in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Delft, Netherlands: Next Generation Infrastructures.
  • Smits, K. Van Marrewijk, A and Veenswijk, M (forthcoming) Inside the Panama Canal Expansion Program: A Collabyrinth. In: Inside Mega Projects: Understanding Cultural Practices.
  • Roessingh, C. and Smits, K. (2010) Mennonite Entrepreneurship in Belize. In: Entrepreneurship and Religion. Edited by L.P. Dana, pp. 226-248. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar
  • Smits, K., Nabben, B. and Kok, A. (2009) Changing borders in Blue Creek. In: Between Horse & Buggy and Four-Wheel Drive: Change and Diversity among Mennonite Settlements in Belize, Central America. Edited by C. Roessingh and T. Plasil, pp 73-96. Amsterdam, The Netherlands; VU University Press.
Professional publications
  • Smits, K (2014) Chaperoning: Collaboration between the Panama Canal Authority and CH2M Hill in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Hydrolink, 2014, Vol. 1, pp 19-22.
  • Smits, K. (2014) Summary of the Study “Cross Culture Work: Practices of Collaboration in the Panama Canal Expansion Program”. 100 Years of the Panama Canal: Celebrating the Centennial 1914-2014, pp 114-115.
  • Smits, K. (2013) The Intercultural Project Organization: A Collabyrinth. Newsletter PMI Netherlands Chapter, July 2013, pp. 6. The Netherlands.
Conference papers
  • Van Marrewijk, A. and Smits, K. (2014) Understanding Cultural Practices of Governing Mega-Projects: the case of the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Paper presented at the 28th IPMA World Congress, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Van Marrewijk, A., Ybema, S., Smits, K., Pitsis, T., Clegg, S. (2014) Dividing two continents: Responses to Unexpected Roles in the Panama Canal Mega-Project. Paper for the 30th EGOS Colloquium, July 3-5, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • Smits, K. and Van Marrewijk, A. (2013) Cross Cultural Collaboration in the Panama Canal Expansion Program: A Collabyrinth. Paper for the 29th EGOS Colloquium, July 4-6, Montreal, Canada.
  • Smits, K. and Van Marrewijk, A. (2012) Collaboration in the Panama Canal Expansion Program: Diminishing Practices. Paper presented at the 12th EURAM Conference, June 6-8, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • Smits, K. and Van Marrewijk, A. (2012) Practices of Collaboration in the Panama Canal Expansion Program: Finding Common Ground. Paper presented at the 28th EGOS Colloquium, July 5-7, Helsinki, Finland
  • Smits, K and Van Marrewijk, A. (2012) Projects as Practice: Collaboration in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Paper presented at the 6th Making Projects Critical Workshop, April 16-17, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • Smits, K. (2011) Collaboration in Infrastructural Mega Projects: Cultural Interfaces in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Paper presented at the 7th International Critical Management Studies Conference, July 11-13, Naples, Italy.
  • Smits, K. (2011) Collaboration in Infrastructural Mega Projects: Cultural Interfaces in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Paper presented at the 18th Annual Conference Multi-Organisational Partnerships, Alliances and Networks, July 4-6, Glasgow, United Kingdom
  • Smits, K. (2011) Collaboration in Infrastructural Projects; Cultural Interfaces in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Paper presented at the 11th EURAM Conference and at the Doctoral Colloquium, May 31- June 4, Tallinn, Estonia.
  • Smits, K. (2010) Transforming Public Values to Daily Practices in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Paper presented at the 3rd LAEMOS Meeting, April 7-10, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Smits, K. and Van Marrewijk, A. (2009) No Man Is an Island: Collaboration in the Panama Canal Expansion Program. Paper presented at the 13th APROS Conference, December 6-9, Monterrey, Mexico.
  • Smits, K. (2008) Collaboration in Infrastructure Projects. Poster presented at Fresh Perspectives PhD Conference, September 2008, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 
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