TURBULENCE IN ORGANIZATIONS - NEW METAPHORS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL RESEARCH

Nonlinear dynamics provides two metaphors for organizational dynamics, bifurcation, and mathematical chaos. These metaphors make possible di stinct observations about turbulent organizational processes that have previously been described as ''chaotic.'' Careful distinction between the metaphors affords additional insight into organizational processe s and can aid theory development. The metaphors are integrated into or ganizational process research through application to two current proce ss theory taxonomies. New research directions in managing turbulence a nd constructing process models are suggested.