Dynamics of Organizations or The Art and Science of Leadership

Dynamics of Organizations: Computational Modeling and Organizational Theories

Author: Alessandro Lomi

An organization is more than the sum of its parts, and the individual components that function as a complex social system can be understood only by analyzing their collective behavior. This book shows how state-of-the-art simulation methods, including genetic algorithms, neural networks, and cellular automata, can be brought to bear on central problems of organizational theory related to the emergence, permanence, and dissolution of hierarchical macrostructures. The emphasis is on the application of a new generation of equation- and agent-based computational models that can help students of organizations to reformulate their basic research questions starting from assumptions about how to link--rather than separate--different levels of organizational analysis.

Table of Contents:

	Foreword
	Acknowledgements
	Introduction	3
Ch. 1	Modeling Culture in Organizations: Formulation and Extension to Ecological Issues	37
Ch. 2	Structural Change and Learning Within Organizations	63
Ch. 3	Dedicated Followers of Success: A Computational Model of Fashionable Innovation	93
Ch. 4	Multi-Dimensional Status Competition and Group Performance	119
Ch. 5	Advice, Trust and Gossip Among Artificial Agents	141
Ch. 6	Market Orientation and Monopoly Power	182
Ch. 7	Simulating the Dynamics of Organizational Populations: A Comparison of Three Models of Organizational Entry, Exit and Growth	209
Ch. 8	Viscosity Models and the Diffusion of Controversial Innovations	243
Ch. 9	Failure as a Structural Concept: A Computational Perspective on Age Dependence in Organizational Mortality Rates	269
Ch. 10	Evolving Information Processing Organizations	307
Ch. 11	Modeling Adaptation on Rugged Landscapes	329
Ch. 12	Product Diversification in a "History-friendly" Model of the Evolution of the Computer Industry	349
Ch. 13	Understanding Dynamic Complexity in Organizational Evolution: A System Dynamics Approach	377
Ch. 14	Nonmonotonicity in Theory Building with Applications to Organizational Mortality	405
	Afterword	439
	Bibliography	445
	Contributors	481
	Index	487

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The Art and Science of Leadership

Author: Afsaneh Nahavandi

Nahavandi’s text has an application emphasis with a cross cultural perspective on leadership.

Coverage includes individual differences and traits, power and leadership, using resources effectively, and participative management and teams.

For any leader, or potential leader, who wants better decision making capability, more satisfied employees, better quality products and services, and more satisfied constituencies and customers.

Booknews

A text for students of leadership, including advanced undergraduate and graduate students and managers, presenting a broad overview and looking at leadership in contexts such as business organizations, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Subjects include attributes related to leadership, major leadership theories, participation and teams, upper echelon leadership, and cross-cultural issues. Includes chapter summaries, discussion questions, attitude self-assessments, and exercises. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)