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Self-reflections on evolutionary processes and organizational adaptation: a Mendelian perspective on strategic management

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  • Daniel A. Levinthal

    (University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

A “Mendelian” executive is proposed as an image of strategy-making that lies intermediate between the grand strategist suggested by rational choice approaches and a Darwinian process of random variation and market-based differential selection. The Mendelian executive is capable of intentional design efforts in order to explore possible adjacent strategic spaces, with path-dependence both constraining and enabling what is possible. Furthermore, the argument developed here highlights the role of intentionality with respect to selection processes within the organization, the culling and amplification of strategic initiatives. The firm is viewed as operating an “artificial selection” environment in contrast to selection as the direct consequence of the outcome of competitive processes. Examining the nature of the processes generating these experimental variants and the bases of internal selection, and how these selection criteria may themselves change, is argued to be central to understanding the challenge of organizational adaptation in dynamic environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel A. Levinthal, 2022. "Self-reflections on evolutionary processes and organizational adaptation: a Mendelian perspective on strategic management," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 11(3), pages 87-90, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jorgde:v:11:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s41469-022-00121-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s41469-022-00121-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel A. Levinthal & James G. March, 1993. "The myopia of learning," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(S2), pages 95-112, December.
    2. Giovanni Gavetti & Anoop Menon, 2016. "Evolution Cum Agency: Toward a Model of Strategic Foresight," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 1(3), pages 207-233, September.
    3. Bjorn Lovas & Sumantra Ghoshal, 2000. "Strategy as guided evolution," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(9), pages 875-896, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gwendolyn Lee & Janarthanan Nythruva, 2022. "A Mendelian perspective on strategic management: path-dependence and artificial selection in a search for sustainable energy," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 11(3), pages 95-105, September.

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