Simulation of Organizational Structures and Dynamics

Abstract

Computational simulation allows for the study of social systems beyond the restrictions of theoretical and empirical analysis. Still, it replaces neither one of these traditional research methods but rather complements them. Several studies in management science and organization theory employ computational simulation, indeed. One of the most prominent examples from management science is the Garbage Can Model of Organizational Choice by Cohen, March, & Olsen (1972). The simulation inquires into the decisionmaking process of organizations and yields predictions with respect to the effect of adversity. Other well-known computational simulations from organization theory are March’s (1991) Exploration and Exploitation in Organizational Learning and Carley’s (1992) Organizational Learning and Personnel Turnover, both of which revolve around issues of organizational learning, obviously. Moreover, they particularly well compare to social systems theory (Blaschke ’ Schoeneborn, 2006). The below model of autopoietic organization theory and the computational simulation thereof draw heavily on both March and Carley, therefore.