Preface

Abstract

Adaptability is becoming a hallmark of effective performance at all levels and types of organizations. Individuals within both public and private organizations are having to adapt to technological changes and the tempo of operations in dynamic, competitive environment. Corresponding teams within these organizations have to adapt to changes in structure, membership, and environmental conditions. At an organizational level public and private corporations are competing in an environment that is increasingly global, technological, and high-risk. The increased need for adaptability is not only seen within public and private organizations. The US military is facing an increasingly complex geopolitical environment that also demands adaptability in order to be effective. For example, within the military, individuals are having to adapt to asymmetric threats, increased joint operations, and network capabilities. Teams are having to adapt to a wide variety of environmental and team composition factors (e.g., warfighting-peacekeeping, teams comprised of coalition partners of multiple nationalities), and at an organizational level the military is having to adapt to changes in the geopolitical environment. The above conditions are but a few which highlight that as complexity rises it is no longer acceptable to only be able to perform well when things go as expected; instead individuals, teams, and organizations must be able to continuously adapt their knowledge and skills in order to remain competitive in environments which are fluid, often ambiguous, and where multiple pathways to goal attainment exist.

Citation

(2006), "Preface", Shawn Burke, C., Pierce, L.G. and Salas, E. (Ed.) Understanding Adaptability: A Prerequisite for Effective Performance within Complex Environments (Advances in Human Performance and Cognitive Engineering Research, Vol. 6), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. ix-xi. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3601(05)06011-X