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Mendelian explorations

Author

Listed:
  • Luigi Marengo

    (LUISS University)

  • Simona Settepanella

    (Torino University)

  • Marco Valente

    (L’Aquila University)

Abstract

In his most recent book, Daniel Levinthal develops a theory of strategy and organization centred around a “Mendelian executive” who consciously seeks new strategic opportunities but is constrained by path dependence to search in spaces adjacent to the current state of affairs. Building upon this intuition, we present a simple model of exploration and exploitation in complex landscapes showing that path dependence modifies the usual predictions of arm bandit models, especially when agents search in complex spaces where correlation of performance among adjacent alternative is low.

Suggested Citation

  • Luigi Marengo & Simona Settepanella & Marco Valente, 2023. "Mendelian explorations," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 12(3), pages 157-163, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jorgde:v:12:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s41469-023-00136-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s41469-023-00136-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James G. March, 1991. "Exploration and Exploitation in Organizational Learning," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(1), pages 71-87, February.
    2. Timothy F. Bresnahan & Shane Greenstein, 1999. "Technological Competition and the Structure of the Computer Industry," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(1), pages 1-40, March.
    3. Jerker Denrell & James G. March, 2001. "Adaptation as Information Restriction: The Hot Stove Effect," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 12(5), pages 523-538, October.
    4. Daniel A. Levinthal, 1997. "Adaptation on Rugged Landscapes," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 43(7), pages 934-950, July.
    5. Daniella Laureiro-Martínez & Stefano Brusoni & Nicola Canessa & Maurizio Zollo, 2015. "Understanding the exploration–exploitation dilemma: An fMRI study of attention control and decision-making performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(3), pages 319-338, March.
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