Turbulence in organizations: New metaphors for organizational research

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Polley, D
• 刊物名称: ORGANIZATION SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1047-7039
• DOI: 10.1287/orsc.8.5.445
• 发表日期: 1997
• 页码: 445-457
• 关键词: organizational turbulence; chaos; nonlinear dynamic systems; process theories; METAPHORS

摘要

Nonlinear dynamics provides two metaphors for organizational dynamics, bifurcation, and mathematical chaos. These metaphors make possible distinct observations about turbulent organizational processes that have previously been described as ''chaotic.'' Careful distinction between the metaphors affords additional insight into organizational processes and can aid theory development. The metaphors are integrated into organizational process research through application to two current process theory taxonomies. New research directions in managing turbulence and constructing process models are suggested.