Interface of Organisational Ageing and Organisational Ecology Theory

Abstract

Abstract The study aimed to conclude on the up-to-date state of the organisational ecology theory concerning relations between organisational ageing and organisational ecology, enhanced by social and ecological systems and ecological management. The applied method included analytical and reflective concluding, based on the synthesis of findings from a critical literature review. It was concluded that: (i) organisational ageing generates some of the most important consequences in organisational ecology; however, there is still no consensus on what kind of consequences prevail; (ii) at population level, the adaptation of organisational structures occurs with the replacement of old organisations that fail to adapt by the new ones; (iii) under the prevalent backdrop of radical structural and strategic changes, individual organisations are subject to inertial forces and thus are confronted with limitations to their success; (iv) ageing has positive consequences for innovative activities of older companies; and (v) the higher the density and concentration of industry, the higher the rates of founding firms and the lower the rates of mortality.