The effects of the modern evolutionary synthesis on the new organizational paradigm

Abstract

This paper discusses the connection between natural and social sciences through how the modern evolutionary synthesis approach, which emerged in biology, influenced social organizations. First, the paper examines the relationship of neo-evolutionism with organizational theories. Then the interaction between natural and social sciences is explained in the study. Afterwards, the relationship between neo-evolutionism and organization theory is handled around the discussions in this field. It has been emphasized that the flow of knowledge between sociology and biology is much more organic and mutual than expected. In other words, this study aims to draw attention to the methodological continuity of the interaction between evolution and organization theory from the very beginning to the present. In line with this purpose, the relationship between the transformation of the theory of evolution and the transformation of classical organizational theories is examined. In this study, it is claimed that the source of the paradigmatic interaction of neo-evolutionism and organization theories is the analogical relationship that began to be established between biology and sociology in the nineteenth century and that this relationship has turned into a much more organic structure than a mechanical and technical analogy in the historical process. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Thermodynamics 2.0: Bridging the natural and social sciences (Part 2)’.