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Of fruit flies, toads, and other hopeful monsters: thoughts on Levinthal’s Evolutionary Processes and Organizational Adaptation

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  • Aseem Kaul

    (University of Minnesota)

Abstract

Dan Levinthal’s exciting new book, Evolutionary Processes and Organizational Adaptation, fundamentally expands our understanding of how executives enable organizational adaptation, highlighting their role in creating an artificial selection environment within the organization to accelerate learning. In this short essay, I review some key aspects of Levinthal’s arguments, especially his reconceptualization of exploration as the opening up of new performance dimensions. I then highlight some implications of his ideas for research on entrepreneurship, nonmarket strategy, and stakeholder theory that warrant further development.

Suggested Citation

  • Aseem Kaul, 2022. "Of fruit flies, toads, and other hopeful monsters: thoughts on Levinthal’s Evolutionary Processes and Organizational Adaptation," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 11(3), pages 91-94, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jorgde:v:11:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s41469-022-00127-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s41469-022-00127-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rodolphe Durand & Robert M. Grant & Tammy L. Madsen & Sinziana Dorobantu & Aseem Kaul & Bennet Zelner, 2017. "Nonmarket strategy research through the lens of new institutional economics: An integrative review and future directions," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 114-140, January.
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    7. Aseem Kaul, 2013. "Entrepreneurial Action, Unique Assets, and Appropriation Risk: Firms as a Means of Appropriating Profit from Capability Creation," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(6), pages 1765-1781, December.
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