Darwinism, Probability and Complexity: Market-Based Transformation and Change Explained Through the Theories of Evolution

Sammut-Bonnici, T., & Wensley, R. (2002). Darwinism, Probability and Complexity: Market-Based Transformation and Change Explained through the Theories of Evolution. International Journal of Management Reviews, 4(3), 291-315. doi:10.1111/1468-2370.00088

25 Pages Posted: 19 Apr 2014

See all articles by Tanya Sammut-Bonnici

Tanya Sammut-Bonnici

University of Malta; University of Warwick

Robin Wensley

University of Warwick - Warwick Business School

Date Written: October 3, 2002

Abstract

The study of transformation and change is one of the most important areas of social science research. This paper synthesizes and critically reviews the emerging traditions in the study of change dynamics. Three mainstream theories of evolution are introduced to explain change: the Darwinian concept of survival of the fittest, the Probability model and the Complexity approach. The literature review provides a basis for development of research questions that search for a more comprehensive understanding of organizational change. The paper concludes by arguing for the development of a complementary research tradition, which combines an evolutionary and organizational analysis of transformation and change.

Keywords: change, transformation, innovation, evolutionary

Suggested Citation

Sammut-Bonnici, Tanya and Wensley, Robin, Darwinism, Probability and Complexity: Market-Based Transformation and Change Explained Through the Theories of Evolution (October 3, 2002). Sammut-Bonnici, T., & Wensley, R. (2002). Darwinism, Probability and Complexity: Market-Based Transformation and Change Explained through the Theories of Evolution. International Journal of Management Reviews, 4(3), 291-315. doi:10.1111/1468-2370.00088, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2335381

Tanya Sammut-Bonnici (Contact Author)

University of Malta ( email )

Msida MSD 2080
Msida MSD 06
Malta

University of Warwick ( email )

Gibbet Hill Rd.
Coventry, West Midlands CV4 8UW
United Kingdom

Robin Wensley

University of Warwick - Warwick Business School ( email )

Coventry CV4 7AL
United Kingdom

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
68
Abstract Views
442
Rank
603,475
PlumX Metrics