Strategy as guided evolution

In this paper, we build on a detailed case study and the theories of evolut ion in social and cultural systems and interorganizational ecology to devel op a model of strategy as guided evolution. Its primary distinctions from e arlier models of organizational and intraorganizational ecology lie in (i) the incorporation of an important-yet realistic-role of top management in s haping the direction and outcomes of the evolutionary processes within firm s, and (ii) the incorporation of human and social capital as a critical uni t of selection within such processes. We describe the model and discuss the evolutionary and ecological processes associated with it. Copyright (C) 20 00 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.