March-ing to the beat of a Maverick Drummer: insights from John Boyd to inform behavioral perspectives

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.”

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