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Evolutionary psychology: theoretical foundations for the study of organizations

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  • Mark Van Vugt

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Abstract

This article provides an introduction to evolutionary psychology and its relevance to organizational design theory and practice. Evolutionary psychology assumes that human nature reflect adaptations to an ancestral environment that was intensely social, but differed profoundly from modern organizations in scale and complexity. Further, organizational structures and cultures co-evolved with human nature to deal with the different environmental challenges early humans faced. In this article, I present a concise review of the theoretical foundations of evolutionary psychology and convey how evolutionary psychology hypotheses about organizational design, culture, and leadership in organizations can be developed and tested. I also provide some directions for future research in this area and discuss implications for designing organizations that are perhaps better aligned with human nature than current structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Van Vugt, 2017. "Evolutionary psychology: theoretical foundations for the study of organizations," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 6(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jorgde:v:6:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1186_s41469-017-0019-9
    DOI: 10.1186/s41469-017-0019-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kingsley R. Browne, 2006. "Sex, power, and dominance: the evolutionary psychology of sexual harassment," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(2-3), pages 145-158.
    2. Shane, Scott, 2010. "Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders: How Your Genes Affect Your Work Life," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195373424, Decembrie.
    3. Wilson, David Sloan & Ostrom, Elinor & Cox, Michael E., 2013. "Generalizing the core design principles for the efficacy of groups," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 90(S), pages 21-32.
    4. Joseph Henrich & Steve J. Heine & Ara Norenzayan, 2010. "The Weirdest People in the World?," RatSWD Working Papers 139, German Data Forum (RatSWD).
    5. Zhang, Zhen & Zyphur, Michael J. & Narayanan, Jayanth & Arvey, Richard D. & Chaturvedi, Sankalp & Avolio, Bruce J. & Lichtenstein, Paul & Larsson, Gerry, 2009. "The genetic basis of entrepreneurship: Effects of gender and personality," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 110(2), pages 93-107, November.
    6. Johnson, Dominic D.P. & Price, Michael E. & Van Vugt, Mark, 2013. "Darwin's invisible hand: Market competition, evolution and the firm," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 90(S), pages 128-140.
    7. Michael Spence, 1973. "Job Market Signaling," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 87(3), pages 355-374.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Michael Schoon & Michael E. Cox, 2018. "Collaboration, Adaptation, and Scaling: Perspectives on Environmental Governance for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-9, March.

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