ORGANIZATIONAL ECOLOGY : a theory in search of understanding

Abstract

The purpose of this theoretical essay is to elucidate the criticisms raised by organizational theorists and both managerial and theoretical contributions that can provide, not seeking a definitive answer, but arguing propositions that could lead to a broader discussion on the subject. Being a relatively new theory in organizational academic, its postulates with a macro-social vision joined many supporters, because it brought a less functionalist view. The theory questions the ability of managers to better accommodate the changes, so it is hard criticized by functionalist theorists who in their interactions named the anti-managing. His Darwinian biological analogy is interesting to understand the phenomena of the external environment, providing an understanding of the variety of organizations and also instituting a more understandable way to understand organizations through a biological life cycle. Even with the many criticisms that has been the target, his contributions to professional and academic has shown interesting potential as a broader vision hyper competitiveness in some industries is useful in the formulation of strategies, analysis of structural inertia so important to understand the dynamics changes and adaptations.