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Organizational Systematics: Taxonomic Lessons from Biology

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  • Bill McKelvey

    (University of California, Los Angelos)

Abstract

This paper argues that important lessons about the theory and method of organizational classification may be learned from biological systematics, defined as the "science of differences." Three main components of systematics studies are discussed: (1) taxonomy, the development of a concept of organizational differences; (2) evolution, the tracing of the lineages of organizational form; and (3) classification, the development of procedures for identifying and placing organizational forms into classes. Furthermore, two kinds of classification are identified and several theories of classification are discussed. Systematics is seen as a necessary prerequisite to studies aiming to identify generalizable principles of organizational function and process. Finally, some implications for defining populations and drawing samples of organizations are noted, along with other implications for organization design and development and managerial practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Bill McKelvey, 1978. "Organizational Systematics: Taxonomic Lessons from Biology," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(13), pages 1428-1440, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:24:y:1978:i:13:p:1428-1440
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.24.13.1428
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    Cited by:

    1. Manu, Franklyn A. & Sriram, Ven, 1996. "Innovation, marketing strategy, environment, and performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 79-91, January.
    2. Seno-Alday, Sandra, 2010. "International business thought: A 50-year footprint," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 16(1), pages 16-31, March.
    3. Jun Woo Lee & Jee Young Seong & Jeong Hyun Lee, 2012. "A New Perspective on Human Resource Management Research: An Organizational Systematics Approach," Business and Management Research, Business and Management Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 1(1), pages 77-88, March.
    4. Aggarwal, Raj & Berrill, Jenny & Hutson, Elaine & Kearney, Colm, 2011. "What is a multinational corporation? Classifying the degree of firm-level multinationality," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(5), pages 557-577, October.
    5. Justin Pence & Zahra Mohaghegh, 2020. "A Discourse on the Incorporation of Organizational Factors into Probabilistic Risk Assessment: Key Questions and Categorical Review," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(6), pages 1183-1211, June.
    6. Hubbard, Raymond & Lindsay, R. Murray, 2013. "From significant difference to significant sameness: Proposing a paradigm shift in business research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(9), pages 1377-1388.
    7. William Gartner, 2008. "Variations in entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 31(4), pages 351-361, December.
    8. Sunder M, Vijaya & Ganesh, L.S., 2021. "Lean additives in a service factory: A design science approach," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    9. Santos, Alexandre Borges & Sproesser, Renato Luiz & Batalha, Mário Otávio, 2018. "Exploring strategic characteristics of intermodal grain terminals: Empirical evidence from Brazil," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 259-267.
    10. Frederik Möller & Maleen Stachon & Can Azkan & Thorsten Schoormann & Boris Otto, 2022. "Designing business model taxonomies – synthesis and guidance from information systems research," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(2), pages 701-726, June.
    11. Thierry Rakotobe-Joel & Ian P. McCarthy & David Tranfield, 2002. "A Structural and Evolutionary Approach to Change Management," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 8(4), pages 337-364, December.

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