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Theories behind Organisational Ecology
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Organisational Ecology recognises that organisations do not operate in splendid isolation nor are they populated by homogenous and predictable biological units; environment and people are of critical importance in optimizing organizational performance. Indeed external relationships (an organisation in its context) and internal relationships (amongst real people) are crucial to understanding and applying the principles of OE. However, OE does not attempt to address the totality of organisational life: a deep understanding of economic theories and of personal psychology are beyond the focus of the Institute. |
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The main theory driving Organisational Ecology is that of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS). This theory helps us to make sense of systems that display complex behaviour. Derived from Chaos theory and Complexity theory, a Complex Adaptive System is a system made up of individual members that can adapt to their environment and communicate with others in the same system. This gives rise to behaviour that is distinctly different from the behaviour of the individuals but that has patterns that can be ascribed to the system.CAS explains a lot about the way that human groups operate. In particular, it demonstrates why people are not predictable and often surprise us. This provides a much more dynamic model with uncertainty and change built in and is a contrast to traditional management theories which tend to be based on a more mechanistic view of life. The principles of OE are derived from the theories mentioned above but shaped by experience. Much of the work applying CAS to organisations uses lessons from mathematics and physical sciences. This needs to be modified by experience of working with people and lessons from other living systems. Article on CAS Other views on applying CAS to organisations |
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