Evolving complex organizational structures in new and unpredictable environments

In this research, the process of mutation and creation described by genetic algorithms (GAs) is used to explore the patterns of evolving strategic dec ision making by organizations faced with rapidly changing and and unpredict able environmental conditions. Building upon the research into logical incr ementalism, strategic development, and adaptive strategies, this research d evelops a model of strategic decision making that allows for the systematic manipulation of all output, process and input variables. A model of the se lection and utilization of strategies under changing environmental conditio ns is constructed from observations of specific companies and tested on sub sequent outcomes of the strategic decision-making recess. The evolving mark et for the once public utilities in Britain was chosen to be the first stud ied in this project. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.