Revisiting the Theory of Intra-Organizational Ecology and Organizational Change:A System Dynamics Approach

摘要

I develop a System Dynamics simulation model to examine the conditions under which large firms adapt tosharp changes in the competitive landscape. This paper capitalizes on, and aims to extend the intraorganizationalecological theory of organizational adaptation, which reconciles the workings of selection andadaptation forces in the process of organizational change. The paper interprets the narrative theory from thefeedback perspective, translates it into a system dynamics model, and simulates the model under differentassumptions of firm characteristics. More specifically, I experimentally reproduce in vitro a firm’s adaptationprocess to closely scrutinize how the morphology of firm’s resource allocation mechanisms interacts withstocks of available resources to mould an unfolding adaptation path. The simulation experiments unveil therole of timing, path-dependence and self-reinforcing mechanisms in decision-making.