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Biomimetics in Modern Organizations - Laws or Metaphors?

Author

Listed:
  • Markus Schatten

    (Faculty of Organization and Informatics, University of Zagreb)

  • Miroslav Zugaj

    (Faculty of Organization and Informatics, University of Zagreb)

Abstract

Biomimetics, the art and science of imitating nature and life for technological solutions is discussed from a modern organization theory perspective. The main hypothesis of this article is that there are common laws in nature that are applicable to living, social and likewise organizational systems. To take advantage of these laws, the study of nature's principles for their application to organizations is proposed - a process which is in product and technology design known as bionic creativity engineering. In a search for most interesting concepts borrowed from nature we found amoeba organizations, the theory of autopoiesis or self-creation, neural networks, heterarchies, as well as fractals and bioteaming which are described and reviewed. Additionally other concepts like swarm intelligence, stigmergy, as well as genesis and reproduction, are introduced. In the end all these ideas are summarized and guidelines for further research are given.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Schatten & Miroslav Zugaj, 2011. "Biomimetics in Modern Organizations - Laws or Metaphors?," Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems - scientific journal, Croatian Interdisciplinary Society Provider Homepage: http://indecs.eu, vol. 9(1), pages 39-55.
    • Handle: RePEc:zna:indecs:v:9:y:2011:i:1:p:39-55
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    File URL: http://indecs.eu/2011/indecs2011-pp39-55.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Schatten Markus, 2013. "Reorganization in Multi-Agent Architectures: An Active Graph Grammar Approach," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 4(1), pages 14-20, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    biomimetics; organization theory; autopoiesis; network science; bionic creativity engineering;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Modern Monetary Theory;
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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