The Evolution of Businesses: A Darwinian Metaphor

Abstract

The title of this book suggests the possibility that new ways of managing innovative processes may favour an evolution of the economy towards an altruistic model. This chapter argues that the acceleration of innovative processes at the turn of the millennium has produced, or at least has not avoided, phenomena of the concentration of wealth and power in which it is difficult to discern an altruistic root. It is observed that the cultural models developed to interpret innovative phenomena are also focused on the profit of individual companies and not on altruistic values. The author goes on to indicate the appropriateness of referring to less limited phenomenological models and suggests exploring an analogy of innovation with Darwinian evolution. An outline of this approach is provided.

Citation

Nicolò, V. (2018), "The Evolution of Businesses: A Darwinian Metaphor", Formica, P. and Curley, M. (Ed.) Exploring the Culture of Open Innovation, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 107-138. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78743-789-020181004