Breslin, D; Romano, D; Percival, J; (2016) Conceptualizing and Modeling Multi-Level Organizational Co-evolution. In: Secchi, D and Neumann, M, (eds.) Agent-Based Simulation of Organizational Behavior: New Frontiers of Social Science Research. (pp. 137-157). Springer: Cham, Switzerland.

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Abstract

This chapter stresses the need for research in organizations to reflect the co-evolutionary and complex nature of the changing world we live in today. We argue that key concepts can be abstracted from biological evolution, and used as a starting point for the conceptual development of such approaches. In addition, computational modeling techniques can be used not only as a tool for shaping this conceptual development, but simulating changing behaviors at multiple levels in real organizations. While a number of researchers have developed co-evolutionary accounts of organizational change, these efforts have been constrained by an entity interpretation of the unit of co-evolution. In this latter view, it is assumed that organizations act as vehicles for bundles of routines, being subject to external selection forces only. As a result change occurs largely through the actions of customers or senior executives. We argue that practice-based interpretations offer an alternative approach in the modeling of co-evolution, unpacking the complexity and interconnected agency within and beyond organizations. Building on these conceptual foundations, we outline key conceptual, empirical, and ethical challenges in developing related computational models. We argue that such simulation models can be used by managers to help them navigate complex future worlds.

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