Organizational Systematics: Taxonomy, Evolution, Classification

Organizational Systematics: Taxonomy, Evolution, Classification explores the complex and underexplored domain of organizational differences, offering a groundbreaking framework for understanding, classifying, and theorizing about the diverse forms of organizational populations. It emphasizes the critical role of systematics in establishing a structured foundation for empirical and theoretical advancements, likening its importance to that of classification systems in biology. The book introduces concepts such as the organizational species, evolutionary branching, and population ecology and calls for a paradigm shift in organizational science, advocating for a population perspective rooted in natural selection theory. It integrates evolutionary theory with empirical classification methods to inspire debate and foster new research methodologies that can address the challenges of diversity and variation in organizational forms.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 528 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Organizational Systematics: Taxonomy, Evolution, and Classification is a groundbreaking book that explores the complex and underexplored domain of organizational differences. The author positions organizational systematics as an essential yet overlooked discipline, drawing compelling parallels with biological taxonomy to build a systematic approach for organizational science. The book emphasizes the critical role of systematics in establishing a structured foundation for empirical and theoretical advancements, likening its importance to that of classification systems in biology, which have historically underpinned progress in the natural sciences.

The text serves as both a theoretical treatise and a practical guide for researchers interested in the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of organizations. Through a synthesis of insights from biology and organizational studies, the book introduces concepts such as the organizational species, evolutionary branching, and population ecology. It calls for a paradigm shift in organizational science, advocating for a population perspective rooted in natural selection theory. By integrating evolutionary theory with empirical classification methods, the book aims to inspire debate and foster new research methodologies that can address the challenges of diversity and variation in organizational forms.

This innovative work is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates the University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds in the field.

The book begins by examining the historical development of organizational systematics, tracing its roots back to the early 20th century when scholars began to recognize the importance of studying organizations as complex systems. It then explores the various approaches to organizational systematics, including the biological species concept, the evolutionary branching model, and the population ecology approach.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of systematics in understanding the diversity of organizational forms. The author argues that organizations can be classified into different species based on their unique characteristics, such as their structure, behavior, and environment. These species can then be studied in terms of their evolutionary history, ecological niche, and population dynamics.

The book also explores the role of systematics in predicting organizational behavior. By understanding the evolutionary history and ecological niche of a species, researchers can make predictions about how it will respond to different environmental conditions. This can be useful in developing strategies for managing organizations and improving their performance.

However, the book also acknowledges the challenges of systematics in studying organizations. One of the main challenges is the lack of data. Many organizations are private and do not release their data to the public, making it difficult for researchers to study their behavior. Additionally, the complexity of organizational systems can make it difficult to develop accurate models of their behavior.

To address these challenges, the book proposes a number of solutions. One of the most important solutions is to increase the amount of data available to researchers. This can be done by encouraging organizations to release their data to the public and by developing new data collection methods.

Another solution is to develop new classification methods that are more accurate and reliable. This can be done by using machine learning and other advanced statistical techniques.

In addition to its theoretical contributions, the book also has practical implications for organizations. By understanding the diversity of organizational forms, organizations can develop strategies for managing their resources and improving their performance. For example, organizations that are in a competitive market may need to develop strategies for differentiating themselves from their competitors.

However, the book also warns that systematics can be used to justify discrimination and inequality. For example, some organizations may use systematics to justify their hiring practices, which may discriminate against certain groups of people.

To address this issue, the book proposes a number of solutions. One of the most important solutions is to promote diversity and inclusion in organizations. This can be done by hiring a diverse workforce, providing training and development opportunities for employees, and promoting a culture of respect and equality.

In conclusion, Organizational Systematics: Taxonomy, Evolution, and Classification is a groundbreaking book that explores the complex and underexplored domain of organizational differences. The author positions organizational systematics as an essential yet overlooked discipline, drawing compelling parallels with biological taxonomy to build a systematic approach for organizational science. The book emphasizes the critical role of systematics in establishing a structured foundation for empirical and theoretical advancements, likening its importance to that of classification systems in biology. By integrating evolutionary theory with empirical classification methods, the book aims to inspire debate and foster new research methodologies that can address the challenges of diversity and variation in organizational forms. This innovative work is a must-read for scholars and practitioners seeking to advance the study of organizations as dynamic, adaptive systems within complex environments.

Weight: 771g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520314689