March-ing to the beat of a Maverick Drummer: insights from John Boyd to inform behavioral perspectives
ISSN: 1751-1348
Article publication date: 28 October 2021
Issue publication date: 3 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of James G. March’s key ideas and extend and integrate them with the works and ideas of John Boyd, whose work is highly relevant to, yet neglected by, behavioral and evolutionary perspectives on decision-making, organizations and strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper integrates and synthesizes ideas in behavioral organization studies with those of John Boyd.
Findings
The authors suggest that when integrated, Boydian and Marchian ideas can enrich the understanding of particular ideas and mechanisms identified in behavioral organization studies and help broaden the intellectual and interdisciplinary range of the field in consonance with March’s vision for it.
Originality/value
The authors combine and integrate ideas central to the field of organization studies with those of an “outsider.”
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Matteo Cristofaro and anonymous reviewers for comments on previous drafts. Any remaining errors were produced without help.
Citation
Augier, M. and Barrett, S.F.X. (2022), "March-ing to the beat of a Maverick Drummer: insights from John Boyd to inform behavioral perspectives", Journal of Management History, Vol. 28 No. 1, pp. 89-106. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMH-02-2021-0013
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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