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  • 1.  Co-evolution studies

    Posted 04-21-2006 22:22
    I have taken a recent academic interest in reading some coevolutionary studies in management and strategy journals. They seem like a very interesting way to research and discuss industry change from this viewpoint. If you perform a literature search- more have been written in the last few years, and can be found in the major BPS journals.

    Here is my question- are coevolutionary studies just an academic exercise to give us an a priori assessment OR can they aid somehow aid practicing managers. IE what is the practical value (or practical importance) of a coevolutionary assessment?

    Also do members of this list see co-evolutionary studies as an important future thread of BPS research?







  • 2.  Co-evolution studies

    Posted 04-22-2006 20:33
    Myles...

    I believe that the coevolutionary perspective with respect to competition and industry analysis is critical for practicing managers. James Moore's work, The Death of Competition (1997), develops a framework for strategic managers based on the ecological principle of coevolution. Today competition is not only between firm and firm, but it is between a coevolutionary community of firms who are both competitors and alliance partners. Just like the predator/prey interaction in the ecological system, firms must now develop strategies with an interplay of both cooperation and competition.. Thus for practicing managers, understanding the concept of coevolution will provide them with the basis to form and better manage their relationships with their alliance partners. Joint ventures and strategic alliances (or other corporate combinations) will be the strategy of the 21st century.

    Current industry analysis is done under the assumption that the economy is a closed system with respect to the greater society and ecosystem. Coevolutionary industry analysis requires that the paradigm shifts to view the economy (and thus industries) as a subsystem of the greater society and ecosystem. This systems view of competition and industry analysis, I believe, will be a major trend in BPS in the 21st century. I explain this view in my book, "Sustainable Strategic Management (2004)."

    Jean Garner Stead, Ph.D.
    Professor of Strategic Management
    East Tennessee State University


    ________________________________

    From: Business Policy and Strategy List on behalf of Myles Gartland
    Sent: Fri 4/21/2006 10:22 PM
    To: BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: Co-evolution studies


    I have taken a recent academic interest in reading some coevolutionary studies in management and strategy journals. They seem like a very interesting way to research and discuss industry change from this viewpoint. If you perform a literature search- more have been written in the last few years, and can be found in the major BPS journals.

    Here is my question- are coevolutionary studies just an academic exercise to give us an a priori assessment OR can they aid somehow aid practicing managers. IE what is the practical value (or practical importance) of a coevolutionary assessment?

    Also do members of this list see co-evolutionary studies as an important future thread of BPS research?